The UFC middleweight title picture has been anything but quiet lately. Sean Strickland’s public complaints about his contract have put his rumored fight with Nassourdine Imavov on ice, leaving the division’s next title challenger up in the air.
Imavov even tried to help get the fight over the line by offering to pay Strickland $500,000 from his own pocket. The French-Dagestani hoped the gesture would help bridge the gap between the champion’s alleged $1 million demand and what the UFC was willing to offer. However, that offer failed to produce the desired result.
Things took a more personal turn when the two fighters ran into each other outside the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas.
Joe Pyfer Says Sean Strickland Isn’t to Blame for Nassourdine Imavov’s Delayed Title Shot
The encounter came shortly after Strickland aired his frustrations in a series of explosive posts on X on October 6. Viral footage from the scene showed Imavov pressing the champion for an answer on why he had yet to accept the fight. He also brought up his $500,000 offer again, making it clear that he wanted the matchup to happen.
At one point, someone nearby attempted to defuse the situation, telling Imavov that his approach was not helping matters. But the middleweight contender kept going as Strickland turned to leave.
The exchange grew even more heated toward the end of the video, with Imavov seemingly moving after Strickland as others tried to hold him back. UFC security eventually intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
Nassourdine Imavov just ran into Sean Strickland in Las Vegas and it got HEATED 😳
🗣️ Imavov: “What is your problem? You not sign the contract?”
🗣️ Strickland: “Say what?”
🗣️ Imavov: “Money? I have money, I give. Hey I’m here, where are you going?” https://t.co/wVA0xuJchP
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 7, 2026
While Daniel Cormier and others seemed to appreciate Imavov taking matters into his own hands to push for the fight, Joe Pyfer had a different take. The middleweight contender criticized Imavov’s reckless approach, arguing that Strickland should not be blamed for circumstances beyond his control.
Speaking in a recent interview with Tim Welch, Pyfer called Imavov’s antics strange and questioned why he was putting pressure on Strickland over the UFC’s contractual issues. He said, “It’s not like Sean said he is going to hold up the division. He said I’ll vacate it and go up to 205lbs, fight out my contract, and then go box. So, it’s not like he is trying to hold up the division.”
Pyfer also took issue with Imavov repeatedly following Strickland and confronting him over the potential matchup. He added, “I think the whole antics stuff with, like, Imavov following him around, it’s a little bit ridiculous. I get it. He’s trying to sell it, but it’s like, brother, he’s not afraid of you. He already beat you.”
Joe Pyfer calls out Nassourdine Imavov’s antics and defends Sean Strickland:
“I think the whole antics stuff with like Nassourdine Imavov following him around, it’s a little bit ridiculous. I get it. He’s trying to sell it, but it’s like, brother, he’s not afraid of you. He already beat you… Imavov wants it back. He’s been waiting almost two years, but that’s like his problem. Getting in the cage has nothing to do with Nassourdine Imavov.”
Via @TimwelchMT
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 16, 2026
Pyfer has a point, considering Strickland already holds a win over Imavov. The two first met at UFC Fight Night 217 in 2023, when Strickland stepped in on short notice to face the French-Dagestani at light heavyweight. Interestingly, that remains Imavov’s most recent loss inside the Octagon, as he has since put together a five-fight winning streak.
While acknowledging why Imavov wants another shot at Strickland, Pyfer argued that the contender’s frustration should not be directed at the champion. He added, “You know I get it. Imavov wants it back. He’s been waiting almost two years, but that’s like his problem. Getting in the cage has nothing to do with Nassourdine Imavov.”
Since the confrontation, reports have emerged that Strickland signed a new UFC deal shortly before his title fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328. With five fights reportedly remaining on his contract and neither Strickland nor Dana White showing signs of backing down, Imavov could have a lengthy wait ahead before getting his long-awaited middleweight title shot.
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