Nassourdine Imavov responds to ‘garbage’ Sean Strickland’s harsh stance on potential Khamzat Chimaev title fight

UFC middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov didn’t take long to hit back at Sean Strickland’s taunts at UFC Houston media day.

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is hours away from arguably the most important fight of his career this weekend at UFC Houston. Strickland and surging middleweight star Anthony Hernandez headline a stacked card in the Lone Star State, with a potential middleweight title shot on the line.

Strickland is looking to get back into the title picture after a lopsided defeat to Dricus du Plessis in their UFC 312 rematch. After Khamzat Chimaev dethroned Du Plessis, Chimaev is likely to fight top contender Nassourdine Imavov for his first middleweight title defense.

But Chimaev’s manager made headlines when he recently claimed that the UFC is waiting to see how the UFC Houston headliner plays out to determine who gets the next middleweight title shot. Strickland agrees with that notion and went on an X-rated rant on the top contender and the reigning champion ahead of UFC Houston.

Nassourdine Imavov hits back at Sean Strickland after dismissing potential title shot

During his UFC Houston media day press conference, Strickland was asked about Imavov potentially fighting Chimaev in the latter’s first title defense.

“Here’s the thing – do you want to see two f—– terrorist muslims fight each other?” Strickland said of Imavov vs. Chimaev.

“No one gives a f— about two foreigners fighting.”

Imavov, who earned a potential title shot by defeating Caio Borralho at UFC Paris last year, didn’t take kindly to Strickland’s hateful rhetoric.

In a recent post to X, Imavov responded to Strickland.

Sean Strickland doesn’t want to see Khamzat Chimaev vs Nassourdine Imavov

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

It’d be funny if they bring a f***ing terrorist to the White House.”

(via @ufc) pic.twitter.com/UGpMrLjVHi

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 19, 2026

“You can rinse it, polish it, rebrand it. Garbage is still garbage,” Imavov said of Strickland.

Who do you believe UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev should fight next? Let us know in the comments!