{"id":498422,"date":"2026-02-25T11:16:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T11:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/498422\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T11:16:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T11:16:10","slug":"nassourdine-imavov-says-khamzat-chimaev-fight-was-targeted-twice-before-injury-scrapped-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/498422\/","title":{"rendered":"Nassourdine Imavov Says Khamzat Chimaev Fight Was Targeted Twice Before Injury Scrapped Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"

The No. 2-ranked UFC middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov, who is riding a five-fight win streak, has revealed that his fight with champion Khamzat Chimaev<\/a> was targeted for December 2025, then February 2026. However, the bout did not materialize despite the initial talks due to Chimaev\u2019s injury.<\/p>\n

Khamzat Chimaev revealed he recently had minor surgery to repair an injury in his foot, and says he plans to make his return sometime after Ramadan. <\/p>\n

We can expect Borz to return sometime after mid-March \ud83d\udc40\ud83d\udc3a pic.twitter.com\/0BKgGdzHmn<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Combat Buzz (@CombatBuzzX) November 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The Chechen-born Emirati has a minor foot injury for which he had to undergo surgery. Following recovery, he is expected to make his first title defense post-Ramadan.<\/p>\n

Imavov was called out by \u201cBorz\u201d previously, who asked him to work on his wrestling<\/a> before they potentially lock horns.<\/p>\n

Recently, \u201cThe Sniper\u201d appeared in an interview with MMA Fighting, where he revealed that the UFC brass are interested in giving him the next title shot. However, to date, nothing has been finalized, and no contracts have been signed. He said:<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, no final news yet, no contract signed. One of the last discussions I had was with Hunter Campbell<\/a> and Mick Maynard during UFC Qatar, and they told me that they want to schedule the fight against Khamzat for December, then for February. But Khamzat got injured\u2026 We spoke recently with matchmaker Mick Maynard, and they want to see the fight happen, but nothing is confirmed yet. No final approval.\u201d<\/p>\n

Check out Nassourdine Imavov\u2019s comments below:<\/p>\n

Imavov says Khamzat fight was targeted for December, then February, but fell through due to Khamzat\u2019s injury \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n

\u201cNo final news yet, no contract signed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey wanted to schedule the fight for December, then for February. But Khamzat got injured. We spoke recently with Mick\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/wGhSK0QdKV<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) February 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

In the same interview, Imavov revealed that his team\u2019s last conversation with the UFC matchmakers about the Chimaev fight was before Sean Strickland\u2019s big win at UFC Houston. <\/p>\n

Nassourdine Imavov wants to run it back with Sean Strickland<\/p>\n

This past weekend, after Sean Strickland<\/a> returned to winning ways by dismantling Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston, he wasted no time in calling out Khamzat Chimaev.<\/p>\n

However, Imavov, who lost to Sean Strickland in 2023, has a strained relationship with \u201cTarzan\u201d largely fueled by the latter\u2019s controversial remarks aimed towards \u201cBorz,\u201d Imavov, and the Muslim community. <\/p>\n

Sean Strickland doesn’t want to see Khamzat Chimaev vs Nassourdine Imavov<\/p>\n

“Do you want to see two f***ing terrorist Muslims fight each other? Nobody gives a f**k about two foreigners fighting.<\/p>\n

It’d be funny if they bring a f***ing terrorist to the White House.”<\/p>\n

(via @ufc<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/UGpMrLjVHi<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, \u201cThe Sniper\u201d said that if given the chance, he wants to run it back with Sean Strickland, get the win back, make Strickland eat his own words, and then come back and fight<\/a> for the UFC middleweight title.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate him. I don\u2019t like the way he speaks. I don\u2019t like the way he thinks. I don\u2019t like the way he speaks about my people\u2026\u00a0I will leave him dead inside the cage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Check out Nassourdine Imavov\u2019s comments below:<\/p>\n

Nassourdine Imavov absolutely despises Sean Strickland:<\/p>\n

“I hate him. I don\u2019t like the way he speaks. I don\u2019t like the way he thinks. I don\u2019t like the way he speaks about my people. \u2026\u00a0I will leave him dead inside the cage.”<\/p>\n

(\ud83c\udfa5: @mikeHeck_JR<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/lRtnEATMz0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) February 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n