Cejudo believes Chimaev will get title shot over Strickland

Khamzat Chimaev. Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Henry Cejudo believes Khamzat Chimaev will get title shot over Sean Strickland

By Aaron Case | Last updated Oct 28, 2024 10:23 PM ET

Former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo hasn’t won a fight in more than four years. But that fact didn’t stop him from declaring who he thinks should be given the next opportunity to take the middleweight belt from Dricus Du Plessis.

“We need to skip Sean Strickland, and we need to put Khamzat Chimaev in there, because he deserves it,” Cejudo said on the latest episode of the “Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru & Henry” podcast. “If you’re able to get rid of a former champion, someone who’s been the gatekeeper at 205 pounds, like Robert Whittaker — and to be able to do it in less than a round. Put him in there. Get rid of Sean Strickland and give Khamzat Chimaev that d— title shot.”

Chimaev did just take out Whittaker, the No. 3 middleweight contender, in spectacular fashion at UFC 308. Chimaev, who loves to talk about smashing his opponents, did just that, gruesomely rearranging the Aussie’s face.

Khamzat Chimaev broke Robert Whittaker's jaw in his submission win #UFC308 pic.twitter.com/IHFnHBosYj
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 26, 2024

Cejudo’s podcast co-host, fellow fighter Kamaru Usman, was curious about how the UFC could simply bypass Strickland, who UFC President Dana White has said will fight Du Plessis next. However, Cejudo countered that Strickland’s last fight, a controversial split decision against Paulo Costa at UFC 302, was lackluster.

Chimaev vs. Du Plessis is the more exciting matchup, argued Cejudo. And while Strickland has been waiting for a rematch with Du Plessis, who took middleweight gold from him via split decision, Cejudo might be right about what White is thinking.

White is a pragmatist. If he sees Chimaev vs. Du Plessis as the most exciting, and therefore most profitable, option, he might take it. Plus, with the UFC set to shell out $375 million to former fighters as the result of an antitrust lawsuit settlement, White is surely looking to maximize his profits.

Fans might not have to wait long to find out, as Cejudo thinks the UFC will reveal its plans in a matter of hours.

“I believe on Tuesday Khamzat Chimaev has that next title shot,” the former champ predicted.

Aaron Case

Aaron Case is a die hard Yankees fan from upstate New York who fuels his writing with too much coffee. When he's not riding the emotional roller coaster that is the MLB season, he's probably daydreaming and doodling or making beats. Follow him on X @AarontheCase1

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