SUMMARY
- Khamzat Chimaev got into an interview with Brett Okamoto on ESPN MMA, sharing his current preparation and opinions.
- Chimaev also made remarks on former sparing partner Sean Strickland's image and social personality.
The UFC middleweight division stirs up again with its third title holder in the last four months. The South African mixed martial artist Dricus du Plessis coming into the picture as the new Middleweight champion, after defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297 via split decision. Another name in the mix would be the undefeated Russian mixed martial artist Khamzat Chimaev.
He recently got into an interview with Brett Okamoto on ESPN MMA, sharing his current preparation and opinions. The Russian was asked about his rumored fallout with his coaches at the Allstars Training Center in Stockholm after a debatable performance against former champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 294. This was considered a sub-par performance by his standards and expectations.
Sean Strickland has Alex Pereira in his corner! 👀#UFC297 | Live on TNT Sports & discovery+pic.twitter.com/Z2E2ZKflgG
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) January 21, 2024
Chimaev addressed the issue by stating, “Everyone was thinking I left my coach you know, I didn’t left my coach, never gonna left somebody you know so always will be from day one to last day till I died so my coach been always loyal to me I’ve been always loyal to him so people thinking like we left each other no we had some problems we solve it and come back”.
Clarifying it to be rather a break to resolve their differences in opinions and that they will be back on the same page soon. He has been training at the Sweden-based gym since he was 23 years old. The Chechen is currently known to be associated with Fight Club Akhmat (FCA), based out of his hometown.
Khamzat Chimaev takes shots at Sean Strickland’s “macho” persona
Further in the interview, Khamzat Chimaev also made remarks on former sparing partner Sean Strickland’s image and social personality. The Russian said that Sean was trying to create a fake image for fans and become a more masculine figure than the actual reality. He further shared that the former Middleweight Champion would be beaten up by Khamzat every day at the gym and even complained to his coach.
Khamzat Chimaev goes OFF on Sean Strickland.
1) Says he was beating Strickland up in the gym everyday, to the point where he asked his coach to tell Khamzat go easy on him
2) Says that Sean Strickland’s “macho man” act of hating gays and being manly is all fake
🎥 @espnmma pic.twitter.com/1oCtFhw0S9
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 23, 2024
Stating “Ask the guy who was beating him up in the gym every day, so how many times I submit that guy how many times I beat him up he went to his coach, please tell this guy go easy …..he said I’m the man, I’m this, I’m that trying to be some macho man, you’re not a macho man”. Chimaev also criticized Strickland’s homophobic comments which he believes were all part of “macho man” act
Is Khamzat Chimaev fighting at UFC 300?
The historic UFC 300 main event is yet to be announced and could soon be revealed by UFC president Dana White. With many UFC fighters in speculation to headlining the event, fans are eager to know who would be the name attached to the biggest event for the organization. Chimaev has shown his interest in challenging Dricus du Plessis for the middleweight title at the event.
This could be an unlikely scenario, given the rumors about the return of former Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. Also considering Khamzat wasn’t dominant in his last fight against Kamaru Usman, who stepped up at short notice after Paulo Costa pulled out due to injury.
It was also stated by former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen that the UFC could be in the discussion for a possible Dricus vs. Adesanya matchup in a podcast. Even Dana White showed more inclination towards Izzy than Chimaev who was initially promised a title fight for his bout against Usman.
Khamzat wasn’t happy with the rumors and called out Dana in his interview, asking for his title shot. However, it is still to be seen whether Dana White keeps his promise.