In a new interview with MMA Fighting following UFC Houston, Imavov made it clear that it’s title shot or bust, no matter who holds gold.
“Five fights, 18 months, against all top 10 guys,” Imavov said. “I’ve shown that I can finish, guys. I finished Adesanya, I finished [Jared] Cannonier. I showed that the only place where I belong is the title fight, and that’s it. And then we’ll see according to what they do, but like I said, I don’t change my mind. The only thing I deserve is the belt, and I’m willing to fight for the belt and that’s it.”
“I’m in the UFC for the belt, for nothing else, no awareness or no money or whatever. I’m here for the belt.”
Imavov then turned his attention to Strickland, who he’d rather fight over Chimaev. Not only does Strickland hold a 2023 decision win over Imavov, Imavov is also not a fan of the way Strickland talks about Muslims.
“If the UFC call me tomorrow with the hate I have in my heart, of course it will be Sean Strickland,” he said. “And then I can fight Khamzat or whatever. But what I have in my heart right now is to erase this defeat, this loss I had a few years ago, and beat this guy because I hate him.”
“I don’t like the way he speaks. I don’t like the way he thinks. I don’t like the way he speaks about my people. So like I said, and even in terms of fighting, like I can tell you guys, both of those fights will be world wars. Both of those fights will be crazy. But the one with Sean? I will leave him dead inside the cage.”
Strickland sounded less than excited about an Imavov rematch in an interview with Full Send MMA.
“Listen dude, I’ve moved past you,” Strickland said. “I’ve beat you. Relax. Either you get the belt or I get the belt. Once you get the belt, I’ll take it from you. Once I get the belt, you’ll lose to me.”
Imavov certainly deserves to be next for the title, but ‘deserves’ has very little to do with the UFC title picture these days. The first thing we need to do is wait and see whether Khamzat Chimaev moves up to light heavyweight, and let’s be clear: rumors swirling that “Borz” has been offered a title shot at 205 have truth to them, whether they pan out or not.
If that does happen, the fight everyone should watch carefully is Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer on March 28th. If Adesanya beats Pyfer and looks good doing it, we could see UFC setting up the much-awaited Adesanya vs. Strickland fight for the vacant middleweight title. Not that we approve! Don’t shoot the messenger. But UFC is very ‘What have you done for me lately,’ and if the answer is ‘Sit and demand a title shot’ when there are other options, things may not work out well for you.
