Hamzat Chimaev stated he doesn't believe Sean Strickland truly wants a real fight outside the cage, saying if he did he would already be dead. Chimaev referenced the Muslim community in New Jersey and suggested Strickland wouldn't walk around with weapons there. When asked about past sparring sessions with Strickland, Chimaev claimed Strickland had no success against him even when he was fighting at welterweight. Chimaev stated he has gotten much bigger and is hungry, comparing his upcoming fight to eating "white American chicken." The post reflects the ongoing war of words between the two fighters with Chimaev appearing confident about any potential confrontation.
Hamzat Chimaev has fired back at Sean Strickland's threats, dismissing the middleweight champion's posturing and claiming Strickland would never survive a real confrontation outside the cage.
Chimaev's comments came in response to an ongoing war of words with Strickland, during which he made clear he does not believe the American fighter genuinely wants a real-world altercation. Chimaev pointed to the Muslim community in New Jersey, suggesting Strickland would think twice about carrying weapons in that environment. He also referenced past sparring sessions between the two, asserting that Strickland had no success against him even when Chimaev was competing at welterweight — a smaller frame than he carries today. Chimaev added that he has grown considerably since those sessions and described himself as hungry, comparing a potential fight to eating "white American chicken."
Strickland, 35, currently holds the middleweight championship and fights out of Xtreme Couture. The American carries a professional record of 31-7-0 and is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a six-foot-one frame and a 76-inch reach. His pressure-heavy, high-output style has defined his run to the title.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's claim that Strickland found no success in past sparring adds a personal edge to what is already a heated rivalry
- Chimaev competing at a heavier weight than during those sparring sessions raises questions about a potential middleweight matchup
- Strickland's championship status means any confirmed bout between the two would carry immediate title implications
- The escalating verbal exchange keeps both fighters prominently in the public conversation around the 185-pound division
