Strickland Believes He Can Dethrone UFC Champ Chimaev

Outspoken middleweight contender says he's the only one who can beat the undefeated titleholder.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:20am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the action and movement of a UFC middleweight title fight, with the fighters' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.A cubist interpretation of a potential title clash between the undefeated Chimaev and the outspoken Strickland, capturing the intensity and complexity of their brewing rivalry.Houston Today

UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland has boldly claimed he is the only fighter capable of defeating the reigning and undefeated UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev. Strickland, who is set to face Anthony Hernandez at UFC Fight Night 267 in Houston, has been highly critical of Chimaev's fighting schedule and insinuated the champion receives preferential treatment from the UFC.

Why it matters

Strickland's comments have sparked a heated debate about the fairness of Chimaev's title reign and the UFC's matchmaking decisions. As a top contender, Strickland's perspective carries weight, and his willingness to challenge the champion directly adds intrigue to the potential title fight.

The details

Strickland, currently 29-7 in MMA and 16-7 in the UFC, believes his well-rounded skills and fighting style give him the best chance to defeat the dominant Chimaev. He has even suggested his teammate, 'Fluffy,' could potentially outwrestle Chimaev over five rounds, though he acknowledged the champion's standup advantage. Strickland has been critical of Chimaev's relatively infrequent fight schedule, hinting at potential favoritism from the UFC due to the champion's close ties to influential figures.

  • Strickland is set to face Anthony Hernandez at UFC Fight Night 267 on February 21, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
  • Chimaev last defended his UFC middleweight title against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025.

The players

Sean Strickland

A UFC middleweight contender with a 29-7 professional MMA record, including a 16-7 mark in the UFC. He believes he is the only fighter capable of defeating the reigning and undefeated UFC middleweight champion, Khamzat Chimaev.

Khamzat Chimaev

The reigning and undefeated UFC middleweight champion, with a 15-0 professional MMA record, including a 9-0 mark in the UFC. Chimaev has been criticized by Strickland for his relatively infrequent fight schedule.

Anthony Hernandez

Strickland's upcoming opponent at UFC Fight Night 267, with a 15-2 professional MMA record, including a 9-2 mark in the UFC.

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What they’re saying

“I think I'm probably the only one that could beat Chimaev.”

— Sean Strickland, UFC Middleweight Contender

“He's best friends with a warlord. Dude gets gifted G Wagons.”

— Sean Strickland, UFC Middleweight Contender

“Don't be a b tch. Go fight that guy.”

— Sean Strickland, UFC Middleweight Contender

What’s next

If Strickland emerges victorious against Hernandez at UFC Fight Night 267, he could earn a title shot against Chimaev, setting up a highly anticipated matchup between the two outspoken middleweights.

The takeaway

Strickland's bold claims and criticisms of Chimaev's fighting schedule and perceived preferential treatment have added significant intrigue to the potential title fight between the two middleweights. The outcome of this potential matchup could have major implications for the future of the UFC's 185-pound division.