Strickland's Ability to Get Up from Takedowns Key Question Against Chimaev

The main intrigue for the Chimaev-Strickland fight centers on whether Strickland can successfully get back to his feet after takedowns. Sparring partners Luke Rockhold, Jorge Masvidal, and Sharaf Davlatmurodov all confirm Strickland is exceptionally difficult to keep down, with Davlatmurodov calling him the most uncomfortable opponent to control. Strickland doesn't rely on technical guard work but rather wrestling-based explosions and creating frames to stand. However, the analysis notes that Chimaev transitions three times faster between grappling positions than Du Plessis, cuts off hands, ties up legs, and constantly threatens submissions and ground-and-pound. The post suggests Chimaev will likely hold Strickland against the cage and drag him down, and questions whether Strickland can defend submissions and strikes while forcing Chimaev to expend more energy than Du Plessis did.