Following a razor‑thin split‑decision loss to Sean Strickland last weekend, Khamzat Chimaev has made clear that he wants an immediate rematch. The former middleweight champion, now 15‑1, fought Strickland (31‑7) at UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey. Judges scored the bout 48‑47 for Strickland, while a third saw it 48‑47 for Chimaev.

After the fight, UFC CEO Dana White noted Chimaev hinted at moving up to light heavyweight, but the fighter tweeted, “See you soon again,” and his camp confirmed the middleweight rematch is his priority. White called the potential weight jump “exciting,” while Strickland said his next title defense would likely face French contender Nassourdine Imavov.

The grudge match, one of the year’s biggest fights, drew extra security during fight week because of the fighters’ animosity. Following the bout, Chimaev wrapped the belt around Strickland in a gesture of sportsmanship, and Strickland declared the feud over. An immediate rematch would settle the championship dispute and restore Chimaev’s status at the top of the division.

Both fighters finished the night with striking exchanges that left the crowd on edge. Chimaev landed 17 significant strikes, while Strickland landed 12, but the razor‑thin margin highlighted their evenly matched skill sets. A rematch would not only clarify the true middleweight hierarchy but also set the stage for potential cross‑division bouts that could reshape the UFC landscape.