Besides Strickland, who took his belt, Du Plessis, Imavov and Borralho also named

Former UFC middleweight champion Hamzat Chimaev [Getty Images]
Former UFC middleweight champion Hamzat Chimaev [Getty Images]

Former UFC middleweight champion Hamzat Chimaev (32, UAE) is signaling his return — and he is not being picky about his next opponent, calling out four top-ranked middleweights at once.

Chimaev lost the middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 328 in May and has since repeatedly demanded a rematch. The defeat was the first loss of his MMA career, dropping his record to 15-1.

With an immediate rematch looking uncertain, Chimaev appears unwilling to wait for just one option. He took to social media to call out Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho. "I'm ready. Let me know when you are. Sean, Dricus, Nassourdine, Caio."

The message made clear that Chimaev is prepared to fight again regardless of whether a title is on the line.

His preferred opponent remains Strickland. Chimaev won the middleweight title by defeating Du Plessis at UFC 319, then entered UFC 328 as champion. His reign proved short-lived — he lost his first title defense to Strickland, who had been the underdog, suffering the first defeat of his professional career.

Chimaev has repeatedly said he wants to fight Strickland again, but it remains unclear whether the UFC is interested in booking an immediate rematch. Strickland, too, appears reluctant to put the belt he just reclaimed on the line against the most dangerous possible opponent right away.

That uncertainty has elevated the other three names as potential next opponents. Imavov cemented his standing as a leading title contender with a dominant decision win over Borralho at UFC Paris, further strengthening his position in the middleweight picture.

Du Plessis also has unfinished business with Chimaev. He dropped the belt to Chimaev via a lopsided decision at UFC 319, then bounced back in July with a dominant win over former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.

Borralho is the fourth name on Chimaev's list. Despite his loss to Imavov, he returned to winning ways with a victory over Reinier de Ridder at UFC 326 in March. A fight with Chimaev would give Borralho another chance to prove himself against one of the middleweight division's biggest stars.


yjc@heraldcorp.com