Khamzat Chimaev reacts to first professional (and title) loss at UFC 328 – ‘See you soon’

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 09: Khamzat Chimaev of Russia sits on his stool between rounds against Sean Strickland in the UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 328 event at Prudential Center on May 09, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“Borz” plans to be back.

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev suffered the first loss of his professional career last night (Sat., May 9, 2026), dropping a razor-close split decision to Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 inside Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

After steamrolling through the division and capturing UFC gold, Chimaev finally hit his first major setback — and his immediate reaction was relatively calm.

Shortly after the loss, Chimaev posted a simple message on Instagram:

“Alhamdulilah.”

Not long after, the former champion took to X/Twitter with a much more interesting message directed at Strickland.

“@SStricklandMMA see you soon again,” Chimaev wrote.

That second post immediately sparked speculation.

Was Chimaev teasing an eventual rematch with Strickland? Or was he simply referring to the fact that both men will continue crossing paths in the UFC while he moves to another division?