Imavov claims the promotion has told him he's next for middleweight gold once champion Sean Strickland is healthy, setting up a rematch of a fight Imavov lost back in 2023 and clearly has not let go of.
Reviewed by BJJ Gyms · Updated 2026-07-27
Figures reflect Imavov's public comments and reported UFC plans as of this writing; no official title fight has been booked or announced.
Imavov's path back to a title fight has been unusually long for someone this good. He dropped a decision to Strickland early in 2023, a fight that happened before Strickland was champion, and has spent the time since climbing back through the division one dangerous name at a time. Talking about the possible rematch now, Imavov has not tried to hide how much that loss still sits with him, describing real dislike for Strickland rather than the usual pre-fight posturing.
That kind of lingering motivation can cut both ways in this sport. Sometimes it sharpens a fighter's focus for years. Other times a grudge that runs this long becomes a distraction of its own once fight week actually arrives. Imavov's own comments suggest he is fully aware of the stakes and is choosing to lean into the animosity rather than downplay it.
Whatever the emotional backstory, Imavov has earned this conversation on results. Since the loss to Strickland he has beaten Roman Dolidze, worked past a veteran in Jared Cannonier, defeated Brendan Allen, handled former champion Israel Adesanya, and most recently got past Caio Borralho, another fighter who had a legitimate case for the next title shot himself. That is a five fight run against a genuinely difficult stretch of the middleweight rankings, not a soft path padded with easy names.
It is also worth noting the UFC reportedly turned down a proposal to have Imavov fight former champion Dricus du Plessis in a non-title bout instead, telling him his next fight would be for the belt outright. If that account holds up, it is a strong signal the promotion sees him as the legitimate top contender rather than someone still auditioning for the spot.
The complication is that Khamzat Chimaev has been loudly campaigning for his own immediate rematch with Strickland since losing the belt to him earlier this year, and he is not exactly being quiet about it. Chimaev has accused Strickland of ducking the rematch, and Strickland has fired back that Chimaev should win a couple of fights first rather than jumping the line.
That leaves a genuinely contested picture at the top of the division. Strickland is reportedly eyeing a December return from shoulder surgery, which gives the promotion a few months to decide whether Imavov's claim or Chimaev's campaign wins out, or whether some other resolution emerges before either fight is actually booked.
Imavov built his reputation as a rangy striker, but the more interesting evolution over this five fight streak has been his ability to close distance and control opponents against the fence rather than just picking them apart from outside. That kind of well-rounded approach, striking range paired with real grappling defense and control, is exactly the profile that tends to give elite wrestlers and clinch fighters like Strickland trouble.
For anyone training jiu-jitsu with an eye on MMA application, Imavov's run is a good example of why a complete game matters more than any single specialty. A fighter who can strike and also shut down a clinch or takedown attempt is much harder to game plan against than a pure striker or a pure grappler. If building that kind of well-rounded skill set interests you, find a BJJ gym near you that also cross-trains wrestling and see how the two blend in live rounds.
A title shot being promised and a title shot being booked are two different things in this sport. Here is what could still shift the picture.
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Sean Strickland holds the belt after winning a split decision over Khamzat Chimaev, and he is reportedly recovering from shoulder surgery before his next defense.
Yes, Imavov lost a decision to Strickland back in early 2023, before Strickland won the title, and has described the loss as personal and unfinished business.
Chimaev is publicly campaigning for an immediate rematch after losing his title to Strickland, but the promotion has reportedly told Imavov he is next in line, so the picture remains unresolved.
Five straight wins over Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier, Brendan Allen, Israel Adesanya, and Caio Borralho represents a genuinely tough stretch of the middleweight rankings, which is why his case for a title shot carries real weight.