Chael Sonnen believes that a victory by Khamzat Chimaev over Sean Strickland would mark the beginning of a dominant Chimaev era in the UFC. Sonnen recalled warning UFC in 2012 about a "Russian invasion" of bearded fighters without mustaches who would claim all the belts. As a wrestler himself, Sonnen argued that their culture represents a different level of toughness and intensity. He positioned Strickland as "our last line of defense" against this wave. According to Sonnen, if Chimaev defeats Strickland, fans should prepare for an extended Chimaev reign because defeating him would be extremely difficult for a long time.
