Khamzat Chimaev Reveals One Condition Behind His $1 Million Offer To Sean Strickland

Khamzat Chimaev says the offer depends on Sean Strickland’s next move.© NDTV Photo Library

Khamzat Chimaev has attached a condition to his $1 million offer to Sean Strickland. The UFC middleweight champion must agree to a rapid rematch. Chimaev lost the 185-pound title to Strickland by split decision at UFC 328 in May and states that he will not pay for a fight that is pushed years into the future. Strickland has not yet given any public response to the challenge. Chimaev first made the money offer on X, asking Strickland to "send location". He then made it clear that the offer remains in place only if Strickland books the rematch at this time. The Chechen thinks he won their first fight and is therefore entitled to one more opportunity.

Khamzat Chimaev calls Sean Strickland's claims of injuries “bulls**t,” saying Strickland has 1 day left to accept his $1 million offer to fight him if he's not happy with his current UFC pay ???? “If he accepts tomorrow, yeah. If he's not accepting after a couple of years, why should I pay? It's going to happen if he fights me next, I'll pay.”

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 22, 2026

Chimaev explains his million-dollar rematch condition 

On October 5, Khamzat Chimaev first put forward his offer on X, stating, "Strickland, I'll pay you one million. Give me your location and let's fight, it doesn't matter if it's outside or inside the cage."

The message came as Strickland publicly complained about UFC pay and suggested he may pursue a boxing match against Jake Paul after his contract.

However, Chimaev has now clarified that the money is not available indefinitely. “The rematch, if he accepts tomorrow, yeah,” he said. “He not accepting, like, after a couple of years. Why should I pay? It's gonna anyway it's gonna happen. If I accept, like next fight against me, I will pay.”

Chimaev still disputes Strickland's UFC 328 victory

Khamzat Chimaev still believes he won their first meeting. Sean Strickland took the title on two 48-47 scorecards, while the third judge scored the bout for Chimaev. “I won the match, but they took my belt,” the Chechen said, calling Strickland's back-foot approach an unusual way for a fighter to win a championship.

He also claimed he earned “five times” Strickland's purse from UFC 328, framing a rematch as the fastest route to a bigger payday for the champion.

Strickland's frustration with pay has become a major narrative. Dana White has countered that the champion signed a new UFC deal in May to secure the Chimaev fight, while Strickland has pointed to the money available in Zuffa Boxing as evidence of what he believes he is worth elsewhere.

Chimaev, meanwhile, has said he may take time away to address multiple injuries if he is not booked by the end of the year. He is also scheduled to wrestle UFC Hall of Famer Robbie Lawler at RAF 14 in Las Vegas on October 23.