Khamzat Chimaev Sends Cold Threat to UFC Champ Sean Strickland
Khamzat Chimaev has warned Sean Strickland that he's "next", reminding the UFC middleweight champion not to worry, "You know how fast I can finish you," in a post to X on October 23:
"[Sean Strickland] you are next don't worry you know [how] fast I can finish you."
"Borz" likely refers to his training time with Strickland at 'Xtreme Couture'. In a video prior to UFC 279, Strickland can be seen telling Chimaev that he's better than everybody and to take it easy:
Chimaev's UFC 294 fight with Kamaru Usman was labelled a title eliminator by UFC CEO Dana White, which Strickland vehemently disagreed with:
"He hasn't earned [a title shot]," Strickland exclaimed on UFC Fight Pass. "Doesn't f****** deserve it, but here we are, give it to him, he sells a lot of fights I'll go f****** fight the man for five rounds. But no he has not earned it, he doesn't f****** deserve it, and a decision with a welterweight off the couch does not earn it."
Chimaev made a successful debut at middleweight at UFC 294, handing Kamaru Usman his third loss in a row. Though dominant in round one (scoring a 10-8), Chimaev slowed noticeably in the second and third, justifying a draw in the eyes of many fans and pundits. "Borz" explained his change of pace as the result of a broken hand he suffered in the first round, likely due to a slam.
Regardless of the outcome, it seems like a foregone conclusion that Chimaev and Strickland will meet in the octagon, and with the gun-ho nature of both men, the buildup should be entertaining to say the least.
Stick with MMA Knockout for more daily coverage of the UFC and MMA