Cormier backs Imavov for Strickland shot

Daniel Cormier believes Nassourdine Imavov should be the next challenger for Sean Strickland’s UFC middleweight championship. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cormier made a direct case for Imavov while acknowledging that former champion Dricus du Plessis has also positioned himself for another meeting with Strickland. Cormier’s view was clear: Imavov has done enough to lead the queue, even as time away from competition creates a risk that other contenders could move ahead.

Strickland became a two-time UFC middleweight champion after defeating Khamzat Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328 in New Jersey in May, according to the Bloody Elbow report. The American had previously won the title by beating Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in 2023, then lost it to Du Plessis by split decision at UFC 297 in Toronto. Strickland later challenged Du Plessis in a rematch at UFC 312 in Sydney in 2025, but Du Plessis retained the championship by unanimous decision. That history leaves several familiar names around the title picture, but Cormier argued that Imavov’s case deserves priority.

Cormier makes the case for Imavov

Cormier did not present Imavov as merely another available opponent. He said the Russian-French middleweight has already built a case strong enough for a championship opportunity. “Now, Nassourdine Imavov has earned a title fight five times over,” Cormier said. “Nassourdine Imavov should be fighting for the UFC middleweight championship.” Cormier’s comments came as Du Plessis has put himself in contention for a trilogy bout with Strickland. Cormier, however, placed Imavov ahead of that possibility. His argument focused not only on Imavov’s standing, but also on the danger of prolonged inactivity changing how a contender is viewed.

Cormier noted that Imavov has not competed for a long time and warned that the delay could work against him. “And with time comes the potential for you to get passed over, especially when former champions are stepping on the line and competing,” Cormier said. Imavov’s last UFC appearance came in 2025, when he earned a unanimous decision over Caio Borralho at UFC Fight Night 258 in Paris. The report states that Imavov has won three of his last five UFC fights and owns 17 victories in a 22-fight professional MMA career. Those details form the foundation of Cormier’s argument, while the lack of a recent bout remains the complication surrounding Imavov’s title hopes.

Imavov points toward Strickland

Imavov has also addressed his inactivity publicly. In a response to Chael Sonnen on X, formerly Twitter, Sonnen asked whether the UFC had offered Imavov a fight since his previous outing. Imavov answered, “Nothing! They’ve probably got bigger plans for me… Seaaaan.” The response pointed toward Strickland without confirming that a title fight has been offered or booked. Imavov and Strickland have met before, although their earlier contest came at light heavyweight. Strickland won that fight by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 217 in 2023. A potential championship matchup would therefore bring a prior result into a different setting, with Cormier arguing that Imavov has earned the chance to revisit the rivalry.

• Cormier said Imavov has “earned a title fight five times over” and should fight for the UFC middleweight championship.
• Imavov’s most recent UFC bout was a unanimous decision victory over Caio Borralho at UFC Fight Night 258 in Paris in 2025.

Cormier’s position is not that the middleweight picture lacks alternatives; Du Plessis remains a name in contention for another Strickland fight. Instead, he argued that Imavov’s body of work should prevent him from being overtaken while he waits for his next assignment. Imavov’s own message suggested he sees Strickland as the intended destination. For now, the confirmed position is limited to Cormier’s endorsement and Imavov’s public response, with no title fight announced in the supplied report.