Sean Strickland might find himself on the verge of another title shot with a win at UFC Fight Night 267.
Strickland (29-7 MMA, 16-7 UFC) takes on hot middleweight Anthony Hernandez (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) in the main event (Paramount+) on February 21 at Toyota Center in Houston.
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Nasoldin Imavov appears to be the front-runner for the title after five straight wins, but Strickland may have a chance after UFC middleweight champion Kamzat Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) said he would rather not fight him.
“It’s going to be a big fight,” Strickland told ESPN MMA of Chimaev. “I think I’m probably the only one who can beat Chimaev. Honestly, I think ‘Fluffy’ is a better wrestler than Chimaev. I think in terms of speed, style, I think in a five-round fight, ‘Fluffy’ is probably better — but stand-up, I think Chimaev will probably take him in stand-up, and that’s a decision.”
Strickland was quite critical of Chimaev’s inaction. Chimaev defeated Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 in August to capture the 185-pound title in his only fight of 2025. He also has one game in 2024 and one in 2023.
“What the UFC did with Chimaev was a little weird,” Strickland said. “You bring in a guy who fights once a year and he’s like Madonna. I mean how much money did the dictator give him under the fucking table? This guy doesn’t need to fight. He’s the warlord’s best friend. This guy got a G-Wagon as a gift.
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“So, he just sits on that fucking belt and waits until they force him to fight. And then he wants to fight Nasudine and he’s like, ‘I don’t want to fight you, my brother.’ What are you talking about? That’s not how this fucking sport works. Don’t be an asshole. Go fight that guy.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Sean Strickland says he’s the one who can dethrone Khamzat Chimaev