Khamzat Chimaev addressed speculation that he would refuse to release a submission hold on Sean Strickland in their upcoming fight. Interviewer Adam Zubairaev relayed fan concerns that if Chimaev locks in a submission, security might have to separate them. Chimaev laughed off the idea, saying he doesn't want to kill anyone because it's haram (forbidden in Islam). When asked directly if he planned to kill Strickland, Chimaev clarified that he wouldn't be allowed to do so anyway, noting that on the street it would be different, but in the cage it's a sport.
Khamzat Chimaev used humor to address fan fears about his competitive intentions ahead of his upcoming middleweight clash with champion Sean Strickland, laughing off suggestions that a submission finish could turn dangerous before referees could intervene.
The exchange came during an interview with Adam Zubairaev, who relayed concerns from fans that if Chimaev secures a submission hold, security might need to physically pull him off Strickland. Chimaev dismissed the idea with a laugh, explaining that killing someone is haram — forbidden under Islamic law — and that he has no desire to do so. When pressed on whether he planned to harm Strickland beyond the scope of competition, Chimaev drew a clear line between the cage and the street, framing the fight as a sport governed by rules he intends to respect.
Chimaev enters the bout ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound, carrying a 15-1-0 professional record. The 30-two-year-old, representing the United Arab Emirates out of Allstars Training Center, has built his reputation largely on elite wrestling, averaging 5.29 takedowns and 1.8 submission attempts per fifteen minutes. His striking accuracy sits at a remarkable 60 percent, underscoring why opponents are wary of where a fight with him ends up.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, holds a 31-7-0 record and brings relentless volume to every contest. The 35-year-old American, who trains at Xtreme Couture, lands 6.04 significant strikes per minute and owns a 76-inch reach — two inches longer than Chimaev's. Strickland's grappling output is comparatively modest, averaging just 0.2 submission attempts per fifteen minutes, which sets up a stark contrast in style.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's elite submission rate directly threatens Strickland's relatively thin grappling defense
- A Chimaev victory would install the number-one contender as middleweight champion
- The stylistic contrast — Strickland's high-volume striking versus Chimaev's wrestling-first approach — makes the fight one of the division's most compelling matchups in years
