Sean Strickland Says He Made Khamzat Chimaev ‘Quit’ in Training; Chimaev Responds
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has recently challenged Khamzat Chimaev amid their training history. Following Strickland’s victory over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston, tension has escalated when discussing Chimaev’s remarks about their past training sessions.
Strickland Claims Chimaev ‘Quit’ During Training
During the post-fight media scrum, Strickland disputed Chimaev’s comments, declaring that he actually made Chimaev quit their training. He elaborated, saying, “I made him quit training… We were doing positional grappling.” Strickland emphasized that he allowed Chimaev to attempt a choke during their session, challenging the narrative that Chimaev depicted.
Strickland’s Perspective on Chimaev’s Training Approach
Strickland criticized Chimaev for targeting less experienced fighters in the gym, asserting, “Chimaev’s a f*cking bully.” He explained that while he seeks out the toughest opponents to train with, Chimaev often selects the weakest fighters, which he perceives as a tactic to avoid genuine challenges. In Strickland’s view, this behavior extends to Chimaev’s competitive strategy.
Chimaev’s Potential Move Up in Weight Class
Recent rumors suggest that Chimaev may be considering a move to the light heavyweight division to challenge Jiri Prochazka for an interim title. Strickland speculated that this could be an effort for Chimaev to evade tougher matchups at middleweight, especially after he won his championship title against Dricus du Plessis in August.
Strickland References Gilbert Burns Fight
Strickland also referenced Chimaev’s fight against Gilbert Burns, where he expressed that Burns, despite his smaller stature, posed a significant threat. “Gilbert Burns almost f*cked him up,” Strickland noted, emphasizing that Chimaev’s alleged bully tactics do not align with the expectations of a true fighter.
Chimaev Responds to Strickland’s Accusations
In response to Strickland’s accusations, Chimaev took to social media, asserting his dominance over du Plessis, who has previously defeated Strickland twice. He commented, “Habibi calm down, I destroyed the guy who beat you twice.”
Conclusion
The ongoing saga between Strickland and Chimaev is likely to escalate as both fighters prepare for future bouts. Each has made a case for their fighting integrity and approach, setting the stage for potential confrontations in the UFC.
