Khamzat Chimaev appears to be changing course on his divisional plans, putting a potential move to light heavyweight on hold. Instead, the former middleweight champion has his sights set firmly on one thing: a rematch with Sean Strickland.

In a statement provided to ESPN on Tuesday, Chimaev's team made it clear that "Borz" is laser-focused on running it back with Strickland, who stunned the MMA world by dethroning Chimaev as middleweight champion at UFC 328. "The rematch with Sean Strickland is the only fight that Khamzat wants, he is obsessed with it," the statement read. "That's the only fight he will accept right now."

This marks a notable shift from what UFC CEO Dana White revealed just days earlier. Following Saturday's main event at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, White told reporters at the post-fight press conference that Chimaev had informed him UFC 328 would be his last bout at 185 pounds—a clear hint at a move to light heavyweight. Entering the title fight as a heavy favorite, Chimaev suffered a split-decision loss to Strickland, a result that has clearly fueled his desire for redemption.

For fans and followers of the sport, this development adds an intriguing layer to the middleweight division. Chimaev's "obsession" with a Strickland rematch suggests we haven't seen the last of him at 185 pounds, at least for now. Whether the UFC will grant his request or steer him toward a new weight class remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Chechen standout is not done with Sean Strickland.