“I’ll Give You $1 Million. Send Me Your Location”: Chimaev Challenges Strickland to a Rematch
Khamzat Chimaev has reignited his rivalry with Sean Strickland, publicly challenging the American to fight again and offering him $1 million. In a social media post, Chimaev said he was willing to face Strickland inside the UFC Octagon or outside it, making clear that the venue would not matter to him.
“I’ll give you $1 million. Send me your location and let’s fight. I don’t care whether it’s in the cage or outside,” Chimaev wrote.
The challenge follows their meeting in the main event of UFC 328 on May 9, 2026. The two middleweights fought for the UFC title, with Strickland earning a split-decision victory after five rounds. The judges scored the contest 48-47, 48-47 and 47-48, handing Strickland the championship.
The defeat marked the first loss of Chimaev’s professional career. For Strickland, the result secured the UFC middleweight title for a second time. Their closely contested bout left room for debate over the scorecards, and Chimaev has repeatedly said since the fight that he wants another opportunity to settle the rivalry.
His latest message raises the stakes with a specific financial offer and language that extends beyond a conventional rematch request. However, a social media challenge does not in itself confirm that a second bout has been agreed, nor does it establish where or under what rules any future contest would take place.
A return fight inside the Octagon would require agreement between the fighters and the UFC, as well as the usual arrangements around scheduling, weight class and championship status. The promotion would also need to determine whether a rematch fits its plans for the division and its upcoming events. Until those details are settled, the contest remains a challenge rather than an officially announced fight.
The timing and format of a potential rematch could be significant. Their first bout went the full five rounds, with the judges split on the result. Another meeting could give Chimaev a chance to respond to the first loss of his career, while Strickland would have the opportunity to show that his victory was no accident and defend his position at the top of the middleweight division.
The $1 million figure may draw attention, but it does not clarify whether the offer is a formal contract proposal, a personal wager or part of a public effort to secure a rematch. In professional MMA, a bout’s terms involve more than a headline amount: contracts, promotion, athletic commission rules, medical requirements and event arrangements all have to be addressed.
Chimaev’s willingness to fight outside the cage also raises a separate issue. A sanctioned UFC contest takes place under established rules, with officials, medical oversight and agreed conditions. A fight outside that framework would not be an ordinary professional bout and could carry serious safety and legal consequences. Any legitimate rematch would need to be arranged through the appropriate channels.
For now, the rivalry has returned to the spotlight, but the central question remains unanswered: will Strickland accept the challenge, and will the UFC arrange a second fight? Chimaev has made his demand clear and attached a million-dollar offer to it. Whether that translates into a rematch will depend on the response from Strickland and the steps taken by the promotion.