Khamzat Chimaev told ESPN that Sean Strickland, unhappy with his UFC pay, should take a rematch if he needs money, while the Imavov title defense remains stalled.
From 3 reports by 3 outlets
What we know
- Strickland won the UFC middleweight title from Chimaev at UFC 328 in May.
Reported, not confirmed
-
Strickland signed a new six-fight contract before UFC 328, when he was not champion.
MMA Fanatik Slovakia
-
Strickland was offered a title defense against Nassourdine Imavov but wants his pay settled first.
MMA Fanatik Slovakia
-
Strickland has threatened to vacate the belt, finish his contract and move to professional boxing.
MMA Fanatik Slovakia
-
Chimaev claimed to ESPN that he has earned five times more than Strickland.
MMA Fanatik Slovakia
Khamzat Chimaev has a simple answer to Sean Strickland's pay complaints: fight him again. In an ESPN interview, as reported by MMA Fanatik, the former champion said he is not crying about the lost belt and is chasing money. "If he needs money, he has to fight me," he said, in translation.
Strickland argues that winning the title should be reflected in his pay. He signed his new deal before the May fight, when he was not champion. The UFC is reportedly in no hurry to renegotiate, and Strickland wants his finances settled before accepting the Imavov defense.
Other fighters have weighed in. Joshua Van said Strickland should have raised renegotiation privately with Dana White rather than on social media. Demetrious Johnson advised him to finish his contracted fights first and then consider boxing. Johnson noted that the UFC can strip a champion or create an interim belt when a title holder will not fight.
No Imavov bout has been booked, and no rematch with Chimaev has been announced.
Strickland argues that winning the title should be reflected in his pay. He signed his new deal before the May fight, when he was not champion. The UFC is reportedly in no hurry to renegotiate, and Strickland wants his finances settled before accepting the Imavov defense.
Other fighters have weighed in. Joshua Van said Strickland should have raised renegotiation privately with Dana White rather than on social media. Demetrious Johnson advised him to finish his contracted fights first and then consider boxing. Johnson noted that the UFC can strip a champion or create an interim belt when a title holder will not fight.
No Imavov bout has been booked, and no rematch with Chimaev has been announced.
- Summary
- Khamzat Chimaev told ESPN that Sean Strickland, unhappy with his UFC pay, should take a rematch if he needs money, while the Imavov title defense remains stalled.
- Key points (one per line)
- Chimaev told ESPN that Strickland should fight him again if he wants more money.
Strickland, who beat Chimaev at UFC 328 in May, is unhappy with his pay and has floated vacating the belt for boxing.
His proposed title defense against Nassourdine Imavov is reportedly stalled over money.
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- MMA Fanatik Slovakia | https://sport.aktuality.sk/mma-fanatik/chimaev-sa-vysmial-sampionovi-ufc-stricklandovi-ponuka-jednoduche-riesenie/
BJPenn.com | https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/joshua-van/ufc-champion-weighs-in-on-sean-stricklands-fighter-pay-issues/
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/demetrious-johnson-just-handed-sean-strickland-an-exit-plan-that-almost-nobody-can-copy
Last edited:
Fighters in this story
Sean Strickland
Khamzat Chimaev
Joshua Van
Demetrious JohnsonSources
BJPenn.com
Knockout DailySummarized with AI from the sources above. Read the originals for the full story.
Is this story accurate?
Updated
This story just changed.