Khamzat Chimaev held a media day where he discussed posting old sparring footage with Sean Strickland, explaining he did so because Strickland claimed he only spars with weak opponents. Chimaev stated that when he increased intensity during their sparring session, Strickland immediately complained to the coach about him hitting too hard. When asked about Arman Tsarukyan's chances against Strickland if Tsarukyan moved up to middleweight, Chimaev confidently predicted Tsarukyan would win. Chimaev expressed frustration about fight frequency, stating he wants to compete every three months but has been held back by visa issues and UFC scheduling. He remained non-committal about potential weight class moves, saying he'll go where UFC pays him to fight.
Khamzat Chimaev used a recent media day to address a sparring video he posted featuring Sean Strickland, while also sounding off on fight frequency and his future in the UFC.
Chimaev, 32, holds a 15-1 record and is currently ranked number one in the middleweight division, sitting tenth on the pound-for-pound list. Fighting out of Allstars Training Center and representing the United Arab Emirates, "Borz" is known for an elite grappling game — he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes — paired with a striking accuracy of 60 percent, one of the highest marks in the division.
The centerpiece of his media session was the footage he shared of him sparring with Strickland. Chimaev explained he posted the clip in direct response to Strickland's claim that he only trains with weak sparring partners. According to Chimaev, when the session escalated in intensity, Strickland turned to the coach and complained that Chimaev was hitting too hard.
Strickland, the current middleweight champion, carries a 31-7 record and brings relentless output to the cage, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach. The 35-year-old Xtreme Couture product has built his reputation as one of the sport's most durable and high-volume strikers.
Chimaev was also asked about lightweight number-one contender Arman Tsarukyan and what would happen if the 29-year-old Russian moved up to middleweight to face Strickland. Chimaev answered without hesitation, predicting Tsarukyan would come out on top. Tsarukyan owns a 23-3 record and averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a well-rounded profile that Chimaev apparently respects.
Why it matters
- Chimaev and Strickland are set to collide, and the psychological warfare between them is already well underway
- The sparring narrative puts Strickland's toughness claims directly in question heading into the bout
- Chimaev's visa troubles and UFC scheduling have limited his appearances, adding urgency to his desire to fight on a three-month cycle
- His non-committal stance on a potential weight class move leaves open the possibility he could eventually vacate or campaign at welterweight
