Sean Strickland says Nassourdine Imavov rematch is ‘almost there’

Sean Strickland says a rematch with Nassourdine Imavov is close to being finalized, with the two-time middleweight champion revealing that pay negotiations are the final hurdle before the bout becomes official for UFC 335 in December in Las Vegas. Strickland took a shot at Imavov on social media, suggesting the Frenchman lacks mainstream appeal. "We're discussing pay now," Strickland wrote on X. "Once that detail is squared its locked in. The issue is no one cares about the fake Frenchman. We're almost there." Strickland captured the middleweight title for the second time in June, defeating Khamzat Chimaev in a major upset. Imavov, who lost to Strickland in 2023, has since compiled an impressive five-fight winning streak, including victories over elite opponents Caio Borralho and Israel Adesanya in UFC Fight Night headliners. The rematch would give Imavov an immediate title shot following his recent surge up the rankings.