UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland’s next title defense against Nassourdine Imavov remains unbooked amid an ongoing contract dispute. While former champion Dricus du Plessis expects Strickland to win, Imavov has offered $500,000 of his own money to finalize a January matchup, challenging the UFC to strip Strickland if he refuses.
Dricus du Plessis Predicts Strickland’s Path to Victory
Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, who has faced Sean Strickland twice in title bouts, believes the current champion will successfully defend his belt against Nassourdine Imavov. Despite Imavov’s five-fight winning streak, du Plessis argues that the challenger has not shown the necessary evolution to overcome Strickland’s specific defensive style. Du Plessis has observed that while Imavov is on a winning streak, he has not competed since outstriking Caio Borralho at UFC Fight Night 258 last September, a layoff that concerns the South African fighter.
Du Plessis pointed to the pair’s initial meeting—a short-notice light heavyweight bout in January 2023—as the blueprint for the rematch. While he acknowledged that Imavov has improved his takedown defense, he noted that Strickland’s pressure-heavy, safety-first striking approach remains a significant hurdle. He keeps it safe, because he prioritises the defense,
du Plessis said, so I honestly believe we’re going to hear ‘and still’.
According to du Plessis, Imavov’s tendency to hit and run is ineffective against a fighter like Strickland who refuses to be drawn into a chaotic firefight and instead maintains a disciplined, forward-moving pressure.
Du Plessis, who recently rebounded from losing his title to Khamzat Chimaev with an impressive win over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in July, remains a key figure in the 185-pound title mix. He noted that Strickland is difficult to control, citing his own experience of taking Strickland down seven times only to find him incredibly hard to hold on the mat. Du Plessis believes that once Strickland stops an opponent’s takedown attempts, he forces them into a style of fight that he wins every time.
The $500,000 Offer Amidst Contract Stalling
The path to the middleweight title fight has been complicated by financial negotiations between Strickland and the UFC. Reports indicate that the promotion initially offered Strickland $400,000 to show and $400,000 to win, figures that fall short of the $1 million the champion reportedly sought for a January date. Strickland has been vocal on social media about the ongoing contract dispute with UFC brass regarding the potential matchup.
In response to the public impasse, Imavov has taken the unusual step of offering his own capital to incentivize the bout. Imavov wrote on X, If it’s really about money, I’ll put $500K of my own money on the line if you beat me in January [Sean Strickland], putting this on record.
This high-stakes offer reflects the frustration of a contender who has rattled off five consecutive wins since his initial loss to Strickland, including a notable TKO victory over former champion Israel Adesanya.
Imavov’s message also included a direct challenge to the UFC brass, urging them to strip Strickland of the championship if the financial dispute prevents the fight from moving forward. If you still don’t take it, then you’re just scared,
Imavov added. UFC, THIS is your champ? Come on, STRIP HIM.
UFC 335 and the Shift to 2027
The fight was originally expected to headline UFC 335 on December 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. With the December window closed, the middleweight title fight is now projected for early 2027.
Strickland, who reclaimed the middleweight title with a split-decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 in May, has not yet officially addressed Imavov’s offer. The uncertainty surrounding his next appearance leaves the middleweight division in a holding pattern, as top contenders wait to see if the UFC will yield to the champion’s financial requests or move toward the alternative actions suggested by Imavov. As it stands, the rematch remains unbooked, with fans and fighters alike waiting to see if the two rivals will collide for the second time in their careers.