An in-depth analysis examines whether Sean Strickland can successfully get back to his feet against Khamzat Chimaev's elite grappling. Multiple training partners have weighed in on Strickland's ability to stand up from bottom position. Luke Rockhold noted that while Strickland isn't the most technical grappler, he's extremely difficult to hold down, making him Chimaev's toughest test. Jorge Masvidal confirmed seeing Strickland work with heavyweights and consistently getting back up, suggesting Chimaev will struggle to maintain control. Sharaf Davlatmurodov stated Strickland was the most difficult opponent he personally tried to control, crediting his wrestling fundamentals and ability to break grips. The analysis suggests Strickland's wrestling-based scrambles rather than technical guard work will be key, though concerns remain whether he can fully separate from Chimaev's clinch control at the cage.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
