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Chimaev vs. Strickland: Favored Fighter’s Final Middleweight Test

5/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Khamzat Chimaev will fight Sean Strickland at the Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday.
Chimaev said the bout could be his last middleweight fight.
Oddsmakers list Chimaev as a -600 favorite and Strickland as a +425 underdog.
If Chimaev wins, he must decide whether to vacate the middleweight title to move up, possibly to heavyweight.

History

Historical Context

In November 2016 McGregor defeated Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205, winning the lightweight belt and becoming the UFC’s first simultaneous featherweight-lightweight champion. His inactivity led the promotion to strip the featherweight title on 26 November, promoting José Aldo to undisputed champion. The situation echoes Khamzat Chimaev’s current choice whether to abandon his middleweight crown for a heavyweight challenge.

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Story summary

Khamzat Chimaev will fight Sean Strickland at the Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday.
Chimaev said the bout could be his last middleweight fight.
Oddsmakers list Chimaev as a -600 favorite and Strickland as a +425 underdog.
If Chimaev wins, he must decide whether to vacate the middleweight title to move up, possibly to heavyweight.

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