Khamzat Chimaev dismisses Strickland's gun threats, references sparring history

Khamzat Chimaev responded to Sean Strickland's threats about using a gun if they fight outside the cage, saying he doesn't believe Strickland truly wants a real street altercation. Chimaev stated that if Strickland genuinely wanted such a confrontation, he would already be dead, adding that the Muslim community in New Jersey wouldn't tolerate someone walking around with weapons. Chimaev also referenced their past sparring sessions when he competed at 170 pounds, claiming Strickland had no success against him and that he would beat him even more decisively now at a heavier weight. He dismissed Strickland's tough-guy persona as fake, noting that Strickland's friends approached him privately to say he was just promoting a fight. Chimaev characterized Strickland as someone who talks tough but doesn't truly want real confrontation outside the controlled environment of competition.