Khamzat Chimaev's brother has stated that Chimaev and Sean Strickland definitely did not become friends after their fight. He explained that this was Chimaev's first loss and he lacked experience in how to handle defeat. The brother noted that fighters have only a few seconds to decide how to accept a loss with dignity. He mentioned that while they were unhappy with the judges' decision, they chose not to make a scene and simply shook hands before departing.
Khamzat Chimaev's brother has spoken publicly about the aftermath of Chimaev's middleweight title fight against Sean Strickland, making clear that no friendship developed between the two fighters following their bout.
Khamzat Chimaev, known as "Borz," entered the fight as the number-one ranked middleweight and the number-10 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The 32-year-old fighter from the UAE, training out of Allstars Training Center, carried a record of 15-0 into the contest, making the loss his first professional defeat. His resume featured elite finishing credentials, including a striking accuracy of 60 percent and a remarkable 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, numbers that had made him one of the most feared fighters in the division.
Sean Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, improved to 31-7 with the victory. The 35-year-old American, who trains at Xtreme Couture, is known for his relentless volume striking, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach that helps him control distance and dictate pace throughout his bouts.
According to Chimaev's brother, the loss was difficult to process precisely because it was Khamzat's first, leaving him without the experience of knowing how to handle defeat in the moment. The brother acknowledged the camp's dissatisfaction with the judges' decision but said the team chose not to protest publicly. Instead, the fighters exchanged a handshake and went their separate ways. The brother was direct in clarifying that the post-fight interaction should not be read as the beginning of any mutual respect or camaraderie between the two men.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's first professional loss adds complexity to his path back to a title shot
- The public comments from the Chimaev camp signal lingering tension over the judges' scorecard
- At 32, Chimaev remains the division's top-ranked contender and a likely future rematch candidate
