Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

‘He Knows, His Camp Knows’ – Sean Strickland Calls Out Khamzat Chimaev, Lays Out Comeback Plan for UFC Middleweight Title!

Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Khamzat Chimaev won the UFC middleweight title from Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 on August 16, 2025, in Chicago. He dominated with 12 takedown and over 21 minutes of control time, securing a unanimous decision victory. This ended Du Plessis’s reign and positioned Chimaev as champion at 15-0.

AND NEW‼️

KHAMZAT CHIMAEV DOMINATES DDP AND IS THE NEW UNDISPUTED MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION 😤 #UFC319 pic.twitter.com/6q2O72p48A
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 17, 2025

Multiple contenders now seek the next title shot and Sean Strickland, a former champion with losses to Du Plessis, remains active in the division. Chimaev’s victory has revived Strickland’s path forward. Let’s find out more.

Sean Strickland Has Multiple Plans in his Comeback Plan

Sean Strickland plans to fight Anthony Hernandez upon his UFC return to position himself for a title shot against Khamzat Chimaev. Suspended until November after a brawl-related penalty, Strickland shortened his ban through anger management and community service.

According to report, he rejected a rematch with Israel Adesanya, calling it easier, and instead chose to call out Hernandez or “Fluffy,” for his grappling style mirroring Chimaev’s.

In an MMA Junkie interview, Strickland stated, “I want to fight somebody like Fluffy. He put me in title contention… He’s like the American Chimaev. If I just go and outwrestle that f*** for five rounds… That’s what I’m looking for.” He claims elite grappling skills to neutralize Hernandez over 25 minutes, might just make him ready for Chimaev.

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Is Beating Hernandez Enough?

Hernandez hold a nine-fight UFC win streak, including decisions over Brendan Allen in Feb 2025 and a fourth-round rear-naked choke submission of Roman Dolidze in August.

Hernandez watched Chimaev’s title win cageside but withdrew from a scheduled fight against Reinier de Ridder due to injury, with return timing unclear.

A win over Hernandez could elevate Strickland’s chances, but Chimaev is a different animal altogether. Therefore, while there is a chance for Strickland, if may not be as easy as he made it sound.

Anthony Hernandez

Khamzat Chimaev

Sean Strickland

UFC

Eric Divakaran

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