UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev will return to the Octagon earlier than anticipated, and Nasouddin Imavov won’t be his opponent.
Khamzat Chimaev has publicly teased a transfer to mild heavyweight simply months after defeating Drikas du Plessis at UFC 319 to win the UFC middleweight title. Chimaev, undefeated in his skilled MMA profession, dominated du Plessis in a current 185-pound bout to win the belt.
Chimaev’s subsequent opponent was regarded as the in-form Nassourdin Imavov, who not too long ago received in opposition to Caio Boralho, Israel Adesanya and different prime contenders. Chimaev and Imavov educated collectively for a short while early of their careers, however Chimaev repeatedly had doubts about preventing Imavov after previous coaching classes.
The UFC is working laborious to announce its spring/summer time battle lineup, together with the upcoming White Home card that includes Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje. Chimaev won’t battle on the White Home card, however will defend the UFC middleweight belt from the previous champion regardless of many calling for Imavov to win the following title.
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland to headline UFC 328 after months of hiccups
UFC CEO Dana White introduced Thursday that Chimaev will face former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland in the principle occasion of UFC 328 on Could 9 in Newark, New Jersey. Strickland most not too long ago defeated Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston earlier this 12 months, ending Anthony Hernandez’s spectacular stand up the middleweight rankings.
This was a shocking title win for Strickland, who suffered a lopsided loss to du Plessis in a rematch of final 12 months’s UFC 312. After two losses to du Plessis, many speculated that Strickland would want to win just a few matches earlier than making one other shot on the belt.
Strickland and Chimaev have been engaged in heated arguments for months, together with Strickland calling Chimaev a “terrorist” and claiming he battered the reigning middleweight champion throughout a previous sparring session at Excessive Couture. After weeks of intimidation between the 2 middleweights, the UFC will return to Newark to headline one of many largest fights of the 12 months.
White additionally introduced the complete important card for UFC 328, that includes the return of Joaquin Buckley vs. Sean Brady and former champion Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov. Light-weight legend Jeremy Stevens returns to the Octagon to tackle Bobby Greene to open the principle card.
What are your early predictions for Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland? Tell us within the feedback!
