The winner of the upcoming middleweight fight between Chechen fighter Khamzat Chimaev and Nigerian Kamaru Usman will face UFC middleweight division champion American Sean Strickland.
Yahoo! Sports reporter Kevin Iole wrote on social media:
Dana White just told me that the Chimaev-Usman winner will get the next title shot barring injury, etc.
The fight between Chimaev and Usman will take place on October 21 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.
Chimaev, 29, had his last fight in September 2022 at UFC 279, defeating Kevin Holland by submission (D'arce choke) in the first round. He has 12 wins and no losses on his record.
Usman, 36, last stepped into the octagon in March 2023 at UFC 286, losing to Leon Edwards by majority decision. He has 20 wins and three losses on his record.