Strickland eyes belt but Chimaev remains dismissive<\/p>\n
The bout was seen as a possible title eliminator, with Strickland having some choice words for middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev prior to the fight.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019d be a big fight,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019m probably the only one that could beat Chimaev.<\/p>\n
\u201cI honestly think Fluffy [Anthony Hernandez] is a better wrestler than Chimaev.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chimaev, however, may vacate his middleweight title and move up to light heavyweight.<\/p>\n
The champ has previously added fuel to those rumours by tweeting out \u201c205\u201d \u2013 hinting at a division change.<\/p>\n
Now, after Strickland\u2019s win, Chimaev has taken to X to downplay the idea of fighting him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHabibi calm down. I destroyed the guy who beat you twice, American b*tch,\u201d Chimaev posted.<\/p>\n
If the 31-year-old does depart, a clash for the vacant title could see Strickland take on Nassourdine Imavov.<\/p>\n
Imavov is on a five-fight winning streak, with his last loss being to Strickland.<\/p>\n
Either way, it seems almost certain that Strickland\u2019s next fight will involve the belt.<\/p>\n