Daniel Cormier Calls for Nassourdine Imavov to Face Sean Strickland for UFC Middleweight Title

Sean Strickland has solidified his position as the UFC middleweight champion after defeating Khamzat Chimaev by split decision in their UFC 328 clash in New Jersey in May. The 35-year-old American star had previously held the middleweight title after he beat Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in 2023 before his reign ended in 2024.

What happened?

Sean Strickland's recent victory over Khamzat Chimaev has sparked a debate about who should be next in line for the UFC middleweight championship. Daniel Cormier, a former UFC champion, has weighed in on the matter, suggesting that Nassourdine Imavov should be given the opportunity to face Strickland for the title.

Why it matters for Sean Strickland

Daniel Cormier believes that Nassourdine Imavov has earned a title fight five times over against Sean Strickland. Cormier made this statement on his YouTube channel, highlighting Imavov's impressive record and his recent inactivity in the UFC.

What comes next?

Nassourdine Imavov has been inactive in the UFC since his last fight in 2025, but he has been responding to criticism from fans and other fighters on social media. Imavov recently responded to Chael Sonnen on X, formerly Twitter, about his inactivity in the UFC, stating that the UFC has not offered him a fight since his last bout.

Sean Strickland's recent victory over Khamzat Chimaev has solidified his position as the UFC middleweight champion, but the question remains as to who will be next in line for the title. Daniel Cormier's suggestion that Nassourdine Imavov should face Strickland for the title has sparked a debate about who deserves the opportunity to compete for the championship.

Nassourdine Imavov has won three of his last five fights in the UFC and has chalked up 17 victories overall in his 22-fight professional MMA career so far. Imavov's last fight inside the octagon came in 2025, and he has been responding to criticism from fans and other fighters on social media.

The case for Nassourdine Imavov

Nassourdine Imavov has a strong case to be made for him to face Sean Strickland for the UFC middleweight title. Imavov has been inactive in the UFC since his last fight in 2025, but he has been responding to criticism from fans and other fighters on social media. Imavov's impressive record and his recent inactivity in the UFC make him a strong contender for the title.

The case against Nassourdine Imavov

While Nassourdine Imavov has a strong case to be made for him to face Sean Strickland for the UFC middleweight title, there are also arguments against him being given the opportunity to compete for the championship. Imavov's inactivity in the UFC since his last fight in 2025 may be seen as a negative factor in his favor, and some may argue that he is not deserving of a title fight at this time.

The debate about who should be next in line for the UFC middleweight championship continues, with Daniel Cormier's suggestion that Nassourdine Imavov should face Sean Strickland for the title sparking a lively discussion among fans and fighters.