Khamzat Chimaev is having a hard time understanding how Sean Strickland keeps winning.
Strickland (31-7 MMA, 18-7 UFC) upset Chimaev to claim the middleweight title at UFC 328 in May. Strickland edged the fight out by split decision and handed Chimaev (15-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) his first-career loss.
Now, Strickland expects to defend his title against Nassourdine Imavov (17-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who is on a five-fight winning streak. Imavov hasn't lost since dropping a unanimous decision to Strickland in a short-notice light heavyweight bout in January 2023.
"It's a tough fight," Chimaev told Adam Zubayraev (h/t Red Corner MMA). "I hope that since their fight a couple of years ago, Imavov has improved his striking and will outstrike him. He's a very tough guy.
If he (Strickland) outlasts Imavov, it's going to be tough. If Imavov is feeling good cardio-wise, technically, I think Imavov is much better than him. All fighters are better than him."
Chimaev admits he can't fathom how he lost to Strickland.
"I replayed the fight in my head a thousand times," Chimaev said. "Before the fight, I couldn't even imagine him beating me."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Khamzat Chimaev: Nassourdine Imavov 'technically' much better than Sean Strickland
