Nassourdine
Imavov admits that he takes certain things personally.
Sean
Strickland dethroned Khamzat
Chimaev in a shocking upset to win the middleweight title via a
closely-contested split decision at UFC 328
last weekend in Newark, New Jersey. Strickland had insulted
Chimaev’s race, ethnicity and religion in the lead-up to the fight.
However, the two showed mutual respect after the fight, and
Strickland apologized for going too far with the trash talk.
Strickland justified his words saying he was trying hard to sell
the fight.
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Strickland has since expressed interest in defending his title
against Imavov, who vows to knockout the newly-crowned middleweight
champion. Responding to Imavov’s comments, Strickland said that he
can’t avoid racism. However, Imavov warns Strickland that he has
certain boundaries when it comes to trash talk. The Frenchman says
that targeting his religion, family and nation won’t be forgiven as
a marketing gimmick. Unlike the narrative with Chimaev, Imavov
promises Strickland that there will be no happy ending.
A Different Attitude
“They say I take things too personally,” Imavov wrote on X. “Damn
right. Religion, family, nation… these aren’t marketing to me.
Every insult comes with a price. You’ll pay for it! NO HAPPY
ENDING.”
Imavov (17-4) suffered his last loss against Strickland in 2023.
“The Sniper” has since racked up a five-fight winning streak
against elite competition. Imavov most recently defeated fellow
contender Caio
Borralho in September 2025.
They say I take things too personally. Damn
right. Religion, family, nation… these aren’t marketing to me.
Every insult comes with a price. You’ll pay for it! NO HAPPY ENDING
@SStricklandMMA
https://t.co/nsiVVUr6Z9— Imavov Nassourdine (@imavov1)
May 11, 2026