MIAMI – Khamzat Chimaev is ready for another shot at UFC middleweight gold after a frustrating result against Sean Strickland.
Chimaev (15-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) attempted to notch his first title defense at UFC 328 against Strickland (31-7 MMA, 18-7 UFC), but ended up on the wrong end of a split decision, with the official judges submitting dueling 48-47 scores. Not only did Chimaev lose his title that night, but he also suffered the first loss of his career – and he certainly doesn't agree with the judges.
Since that result, Chimaev has been staying busy with wrestling matches under the RAF banner. He competes in his third wrestling match since losing the UFC title at RAF 13 at Watco Center on Friday, taking on Gilbert Burns.
Chimaev assures that, other
than some minor issues with his hands, he's in good enough shape to return to the octagon.
"(Health) updates? I don't have any updates. I'm just training and want to fight," Chimaev told MMA Junkie. "It's not so many people that wants to fight. We'll see what happens. I didn't see Dana (White) and Hunter (Campbell). Maybe when I see, I'll have something."
Should the next middleweight title fight end up being Strickland vs. UFC-ranked No. 3 contender Nassourdine Imavov, Chimaev will be ready to face whoever emerges victorious. Given the result of the first meeting with Strickland, it seems Chimaev would rather have the immediate rematch so that he can avenge the only loss of his career – but the ultimate goal is gold.
"It would be good to take the winner because I want to go for the belt," Chimaev told MMA Junkie. "I'm the No. 1 contender. I didn't lose the match that people think. Like, I never seen a guy win a fight just running backwards and doing just jab, jab.
"The judges, some judges, before they said, 'Damage, damage,' and he didn't get any damage from that. After, I was in the gym. So, I don't know what they was watching there, you know? Next time, maybe gonna do marathon. You can with the fight there as well."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Khamzat Chimaev rips judges, calls for UFC title shot in return fight
