Nassourdine Imavov Offered Strickland $500,000 for Rematch
Nassourdine Imavov has publicly challenged Sean Strickland to a rematch, offering personal funds to settle a pay dispute.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
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Nassourdine Imavov has challenged Sean Strickland to a rematch following their 2023 encounter. Imavov, who remains undefeated in his last six fights, offered $500,000 of his own money to bridge a financial gap between Strickland and the UFC.
Why it matters
The proposed bout hinges on a significant pay discrepancy, with Imavov seeking to overcome the obstacle of Strickland’s reported $1 million asking price. Imavov believes that a second meeting would produce a different result than his previous loss via unanimous decision.
Nassourdine Imavov is currently riding a six-fight undefeated streak that includes victories over Israel Adesanya, Caio Borralho, and Brendan Allen. The UFC offered Sean Strickland a $400,000 show-and-win purse, which falls short of his $1 million demand.
The players
Nassourdine Imavov
He is a professional mixed martial artist currently holding a six-fight undefeated streak.
Sean Strickland
He is a veteran mixed martial artist who previously defeated Imavov in a 2023 contest.
UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is a premier mixed martial arts promotion and the organizer of the proposed bout.
The details
Nassourdine Imavov issued the challenge via social media, hoping to secure a fight for January. Imavov, 31, seeks redemption after Sean Strickland defeated him via unanimous decision in 2023.
Timeline
Sean Strickland defeated Nassourdine Imavov via unanimous decision in 2023.
Nassourdine Imavov has proposed a potential rematch to take place in January.
Season Trajectory
A successful booking would place the rematch as a marquee event in the January fight schedule. It significantly impacts the middleweight division's hierarchy by potentially validating Imavov's current undefeated run against a former opponent.
The proposed $500,000 personal contribution highlights the current financial leverage athletes are attempting to use to force high-profile matchups. Fans and bettors should monitor the UFC’s official scheduling announcements for January to see if the financial incentive successfully overrides the existing pay dispute.
The takeaway
Imavov’s willingness to personally subsidize a fight purse illustrates the lengths athletes may go to secure specific matchups in professional combat sports. Fans can view this move as a unique attempt to bypass traditional promotion-led salary negotiations.
Further reading
For more on the current state of professional fighting, visit the Mixed Martial Arts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportskeeda.
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