Khamzat Chimaev responded to Sean Strickland's claims about bringing a gun to a potential confrontation, saying he doesn't believe Strickland truly wants a real fight outside the cage. Chimaev stated that if Strickland really wanted that, he would already be dead, and noted the large Muslim community in New Jersey where the fight is taking place. When asked about past sparring sessions with Strickland, Chimaev claimed he dominated those sessions even when he fought at 170 pounds. He said Strickland accomplished nothing against him in training and described himself as much bigger and hungrier now. Chimaev dismissed Strickland's behavior as circus antics and claimed Strickland backs down when confronted by Chimaev's team in person.
Khamzat Chimaev has brushed off threats made by middleweight champion Sean Strickland, who suggested he would bring a gun to any out-of-cage confrontation with the Borz, ahead of their upcoming fight in New Jersey.
Chimaev, 32, was direct in his response. He said he does not believe Strickland genuinely wants a real confrontation outside the Octagon, adding that if Strickland truly meant it, things would have already turned deadly. Chimaev also pointed to the large Muslim community in New Jersey as context for his confidence in the region. The UAE-based fighter carries a 15-1 record and holds the number-one middleweight ranking, sitting tenth on the pound-for-pound list. He fights out of Allstars Training Center and brings elite grappling to the matchup, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 60 percent.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion at 35 years old, holds a 31-7 record and is known for his high-output striking, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach out of the orthodox stance. The American, who trains at Xtreme Couture, stands six-foot-one and has built a reputation for unfiltered public behavior, which Chimaev characterized as circus antics that disappear when Strickland faces his team directly.
On the subject of past sparring, Chimaev claimed he dominated those sessions even when he competed at welterweight, saying Strickland achieved nothing against him in training. He described himself as considerably bigger and more motivated now that he is campaigning full-time at middleweight, where he stands six-foot-two.
Why it matters
- A Chimaev victory would hand him the middleweight title and validate his move up from welterweight
- Strickland's high striking volume will test Chimaev's 60 percent accuracy and elite wrestling
- The heated pre-fight exchange raises the stakes of an already high-profile championship bout
