In response to Sean Strickland's provocations, Khamzat Chimaev explained why he finds Strickland amusing rather than angering, comparing him to a circus clown and calling him fake after friends reported Strickland backed down in person claiming he was just promoting a fight. Artur Vahitov, who last defeated Alex Pereira in kickboxing and is now helping Ciryl Gane prepare, predicted Pereira will lose because he gained too much muscle mass. Jiri Prochazka responded to criticism from Ulberg by calling him a stripper. Carlos Prates posted a playful face-off with his daughter against Madalena. Islam Makhachev confirmed he has started training camp for his next fight. Colby Covington complained about UFC's lack of interest in promoting him or booking him for major events like the White House fight card, expressing willingness to give his final competitive years to RAF if UFC won't utilize him.
Khamzat Chimaev has publicly brushed off Sean Strickland's ongoing provocations, describing the middleweight champion as a circus clown and labeling him fake after friends reportedly told Chimaev that Strickland backed down when confronted in person, claiming he was simply trying to promote a fight.
Strickland, 35, holds a 31-7-0 record and currently reigns as middleweight champion fighting out of Xtreme Couture. The American is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach. Chimaev's characterization leans into a growing narrative that Strickland's outspoken persona is more performance than genuine aggression.
Elsewhere in the news cycle, Islam Makhachev confirmed he has begun training camp ahead of his next outing. The reigning welterweight champion carries a 28-1-0 record and holds the top pound-for-pound ranking. The 34-year-old Russian fights out of Eagles MMA and is among the sport's most complete competitors, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing 58 percent of his significant strikes.
Jiri Prochazka, the second-ranked light heavyweight contender from the Czech Republic, fired back at Calvin Kattar Ulberg's criticism by calling him a stripper. Prochazka is 32-6-1 and brings elite volume to the 205-pound division, landing 5.69 significant strikes per minute with an 80-inch reach.
Rounding out the social-media activity, Artur Vahitov — the kickboxer who last defeated Alex Pereira under that ruleset and is now assisting Ciryl Gane's preparation — predicted Pereira will struggle due to excessive muscle gain. Carlos Prates shared a lighthearted face-off clip featuring his daughter opposite Madalena. Colby Covington voiced frustration over what he described as the UFC's unwillingness to promote him or book him for high-profile cards, including the White House event, and indicated he would consider taking his remaining competitive years elsewhere if the situation does not change.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's dismissal of Strickland keeps a simmering middleweight rivalry in the public eye without either side committing to a formal callout
- Makhachev opening camp signals a welterweight title defense is approaching, with implications for the top of a stacked division
- Covington's public grievance raises questions about his placement in the UFC's welterweight plans
