Sean Strickland has publicly expressed his appreciation for Russian fans in a video message. The post presents a fan poll asking whether people thank Strickland or remain loyal to Khamzat Chimaev. The message comes as Strickland prepares to face Chimaev in an upcoming bout. While the gesture aims to win over Russian supporters, the context suggests fans remain divided in their allegiances. No additional details about the timing or nature of the video were provided.
Sean Strickland has put out a video message directed at Russian fans, expressing his appreciation for their support ahead of his upcoming middleweight title defense against Khamzat Chimaev.
Strickland, 35, holds the UFC middleweight championship with a professional record of 31-7-0. The American fighter, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and is one of the most active strikers in the division, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute. His aggressive, high-volume output has been a trademark throughout his rise to the top of the 185-pound weight class.
Chimaev enters as the number-one ranked middleweight and sits tenth in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 32-year-old, who competes out of the United Arab Emirates and trains at Allstars Training Center, carries a record of 15-1-0 and is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous fighters on the roster. Known for elite wrestling, Chimaev averages an exceptional 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 60 percent of his significant strikes, a figure that stands well above the divisional average. His Swedish and Chechen roots have earned him a devoted following across Russia and Central Asia.
The video appears to be an attempt by Strickland to win over a fanbase that has historically been strongly aligned with Chimaev. A fan poll accompanying the post asked viewers whether they would back Strickland or remain loyal to Borz, suggesting allegiances remain sharply divided ahead of the bout.
Why it matters
- Strickland is defending the middleweight title against the division's top-ranked contender
- Chimaev's wrestling-heavy style presents a distinct challenge for the volume-striking champion
- The social media outreach reflects the cross-cultural significance of this matchup for global MMA audiences
