Chael Sonnen believes Sean Strickland's potential loss to Khamzat Chimaev would mark the beginning of a long Chimaev championship reign in the UFC. Sonnen referenced his 2012 warning about Russian fighters coming to dominate the UFC, describing their culture as bringing a different level of toughness and grit. As a wrestler himself, Sonnen characterized Strickland as America's last line of defense against this wave of fighters. He stated that if Chimaev defeats Strickland, fans should prepare for an extended Chimaev era, as finding someone capable of beating him will take considerable time.
