TLDR
- Sean Strickland predicts Khamzat Chimaev will only fight when forced by a Chechen warlord, claiming the champion doesn’t enjoy fighting
- Chimaev responded by calling Strickland ‘a bit mad’ over past sparring losses when they trained together at Xtreme Couture
- Chimaev has fought only once in the past year, winning the title from Dricus Du Plessis in August 2025
- Strickland faces Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston on Saturday after serving a six-month suspension for cage-storming
- The winner could earn a title shot against Chimaev if the champion decides to defend his middleweight belt
Sources: Bloody Elbow | Sportsnet | BJ Penn
UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and former champion Sean Strickland have turned their past friendship into a public rivalry. The two fighters trained together at Xtreme Couture but are now exchanging words over Chimaev’s inactive title reign.
Chimaev won the middleweight championship in August 2025 with a unanimous decision over Dricus Du Plessis. He controlled Du Plessis for nearly 22 minutes in that fight but hasn’t competed since.
Strickland has been vocal about questioning Chimaev’s absence from the octagon and his reported injuries. In a recent interview, Strickland offered a prediction about what will get the champion back to fighting.
“I think whenever the Chechen warlord says, ‘Alright, it’s time for you to go represent us,’ I think he’ll be forced to fight,” Strickland said. “I don’t think he likes fighting. It’s scary, it’s hard, but I don’t think he’s a natural fighter. He’s a natural grappler, maybe.”
Chimaev Responds to Former Training Partner
Chimaev responded to Strickland’s criticism by calling him “a bit mad” about their past sparring sessions. The champion suggested that Strickland’s harsh words stem from losses during their training together at Xtreme Couture.
The middleweight division has experienced a slowdown in activity over the past two years. Chimaev has fought only once each of the last three years.
The four champions before Chimaev—Du Plessis, Strickland, Israel Adesanya, and Robert Whittaker—fought just five times combined in 2025. This lack of activity has frustrated fighters trying to work their way up the rankings.
Chimaev has expressed more interest in a super fight with UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira than defending his title. He has also said he likes No. 2-ranked Nassourdine Imavov and would rather not face him, despite many considering Imavov the rightful No. 1 contender.
Strickland Returns After Suspension
Strickland will face Anthony Hernandez in the UFC Houston main event on Saturday. A win could position him for another title shot against Chimaev.
The 34-year-old Strickland served a six-month suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission after rushing the cage at a regional show in June. He threw punches at a teammate’s opponent who had taunted him following a victory.
Strickland is ranked No. 3 in the middleweight division, while Hernandez is ranked No. 4. Strickland holds wins over top contenders including a five-round decision over Imavov at light heavyweight as a late replacement.
Hernandez enters the fight as a heavy favorite with betting odds ranging from -250 to -325. The 32-year-old is on an eight-fight winning streak since 2021 with a 75 percent finish rate.
Hernandez has fought twice in both 2024 and 2025, accepting fights up and down the rankings. He has earned three performance bonuses during his current streak.
Both fighters like to move forward and push pace, setting up a stylistic clash. Strickland relies on tight defense and range striking, while Hernandez uses relentless pressure and effective grappling.
The winner will likely emerge as a strong contender for a title shot against Chimaev, assuming the champion returns to defend his belt.
