Chael Sonnen believes a Khamzat Chimaev victory over Sean Strickland will mark the beginning of Chimaev's dominant era in the UFC. Sonnen recalled warning UFC about a "Russian invasion" back in 2012, predicting bearded fighters would claim all the belts. As a former wrestler himself, Sonnen emphasized that the culture and toughness level of fighters from that region represents a different caliber. He characterized Strickland as "our last line of defense" against this wave. Sonnen suggested that if Chimaev defeats Strickland, fans should prepare for a lengthy Chimaev era, as he believes it will take considerable time before anyone can defeat him.
