Overview
- The UFC announced UFC 335 for Dec. 12 in Las Vegas without the Sean Strickland–Nassourdine Imavov middleweight rematch, leaving the title bout off the year‑end card.
- Sean Strickland signaled on social media that the remaining obstacle to the fight is pay, replying to followers that money negotiations were the sticking point.
- Nassourdine Imavov publicly offered $500,000 of his own money on Oct. 4 to entice Strickland and urged the promotion to strip the champion if the fight is not booked.
- Khamzat Chimaev followed with a public $1 million offer on Oct. 5 to run back his May loss to Strickland, but neither social‑media proposal is a formal contract or accepted bout agreement.
- With the December card filled and no signed terms, the rematch is expected to be delayed into early 2027, a delay that reshapes contender timelines and keeps reported purse figures unverified pending official confirmations.