Sean Strickland is still getting the next shot at the UFC middleweight title, right?
No one can be too sure at this point. Strickland was promised the next shot, but after Khamzat Chimaev’s first-round demolition of Robert Whittaker in the co-main event of UFC 308 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, it sounded like UFC CEO Dana White was considering shifting gears.
A reporter asked White if Strickland was still next in line for a title shot. “That’s a good question,” White said. “Call me on Tuesday.”
White’s comments got a rise out of Strickland, who took to social media with the following message. “Understand one thing…. I am next in line….. Its been said, its been written… January/February me and @dricusduplessis are scrapping. Go back to Chechnya and wait a few months….. wait.. sorry UAE… you’re not allowed in Chechnya…But hey crypto scams while you wait.”
Strickland lost the title to Du Plessis in a close split decision at UFC 297 in January. He rebounded with a split-decision win over Paulo Costa. There is an argument to be made that Strickland earned the title shot with the win over Costa.
Adding to that argument, not only did White confirm Strickland was next in line for the title shot, he also was one of the people who thought he deserved the nod from the judges in the loss to Du Plessis.
White has always reserved and exercised the right to change his mind. That could be what happens here–mainly because there is a desire to have Du Plessis’ next fight in South Africa.
Strickland has never been shy when it comes to anything, which includes potentially offensive comments about people from a variety of groups. Is it possible the UFC is hesitant to send Strickland to South Africa, where he could cause an incident in a country the UFC would be visiting for the first time?
Regarding pure star power, Strickland has garnered a solid following, but that might not compare to Chimaev’s presence. When healthy, Chimaev looks like a fighter capable of powering his way to the top of the pound-for-pound list.
The way he dismantled an ex-champion like Whittaker was impressive. Quite honestly, he might even be the favorite to defeat Du Plessis if the fight between the two was made.
The biggest issue with Chimaev has been his lack of availability. The undefeated 30-year-old has fought just twice since September 2022. If has gotten past his health issues, it seems it is just a matter of time before Chimaev gets the title shot.
After that, it might only be a short time before he is ready to move up to light heavyweight, where he will have a more manageable weight cut. There is time for Chimaev to make his mark in two weight classes.
However, since Strickland was promised the next shot and because the first fight with Du Plessis was so close, it makes sense for him to get an opportunity to regain his title. Perhaps placing Chimaev on that card against someone like No. 4 Nassourdine Imavov would make sense.
If Chimaev wins that fight, he could challenge the winner of Strickland-Du Plessis 2. The middleweight division has needed some new blood. It appeared Caio Borralho would be the one to supply it, but Chimaev has leaped ahead into the more choice position.
Here is a look at all of the results from UFC 308.
- (c) Ilia Topuria def. Max Holloway – UFC Featherweight Championship via TKO in the third round
- Khamzat Chimaev def. Robert Whittaker via submission in the first round (face crank)
- Magomed Ankalaev def. Aleksandar Rakic via unanimous decision 29-28×3
- Lerone Murphy def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision 29-28×3
- Shara Magomedov def. Armen Petrosyan via KO in the second round
- Ibo Aslan def. Raffael Cerqueira via KO in the first round
- Geoff Neal def. Rafael dos Anjos via TKO in the first round
- Mateusz Rebecki def. Myktybek Orolbai via split decision 29-28×2, 28-29.
- Abus Magomedov def. Brunno Ferreira via submission in the third round (arm-triangle choke)
- Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Chris Barnett TKO in the first round
- Farid Basharat def. Victor Hugo via. unanimous decision, 30-27, 29-28×2
- Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Carlos Leal via unanimous decision 30-27, 29-28×2
- Ismail Naurdiev def. Bruno Silva 30-27×3
