Poor blood continues to cook between Khamzat Chimaev and former UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland.
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland and UFC 319 Headliner Khamzat Chimaev previously trained in their career at Xtreme Couture. While Chimaev prepared for a full -time move to middleweight, Strickland and Chimaev were short teammates and the mats shared several times.
Chimaev is days away from the dual rival, UFC Middleweight Champion Dric Du Plessis van Strickland, in the UFC 319 Main Event. It will mark Chimaev's long-awaited title shot after he had completed each of his first eight UFC opponents.
While Chimaev is laser -oriented to put his new 'secret weapon' to the test, he is working on a heated feud with his former training partner.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Khamzat Chimaev responds to Sean Strickland's bully claims
Strickland went on Chimaev during a recent interview.
“I was there when he withdrew from Covid. I trained with him. There is a video of me, and I had something like 'Oh, you are so good, you are better than everyone, and I am sarcastic,” said Strickland about Chimaev.
“You can choose UFC hunters at a high level, but you are going and f-set this 1-1 man, but there are guys like Edmen [Shahbazyan]High level UFC hunters, and you choose the 1-1 hunter because you think he has the same height as your opponent.
“No guy, you choose him because you are AB -“. “
During a recent press conference in Media Day in Los Angeles, Chimaev responded to Strickland's comments.
Khamzat Chimaev gave a preview of what will happen in his title fight vs. DDP on the #ufc319 media workout 🐺 pic.twitter.com/wmveet5dp8
– MMA Junkie (@mmajunkie) August 6, 2025
“When I was there, he never said anything. When I left Las Vegas, when they stopped my [travel VISA]He started talking, “Chimaev replied.
“When I came back, I am in Los Angeles. Come on. If it's something personal for you, just come. I'm here. Whenever he wants.”
If Chimaev wins the victory over UFC 319, this can open the door for potential second chances for Strickland, Israel Adesanya and other top middle weights. After Strickland Adesanya had defeated the leash on UFC 293, Chimaev was briefly advertised as Strickland's first title defense before Du Plessis was given the shot at UFC 297.
Sean Strickland chose the side of double rival for UFC 319
In the midst of Strickland's Veke with his former teammate, he predicts Du Plessis to keep the title on UFC 319. Strickland based his opinion on his 10 rounds that fought against Du Plessis, combined with his short time training with Chimaev.
Strickland called stopping Chimaev's struggling 'not so hard' and gave Du Plessis a considerable advantage with its striking. So far, in the career of Chimaev, Kamaru Usman is the only opponent who seriously challenges the wrestling of Chimaev.
Chimaev is a potential return to the Welterweight Division after UFC 319, a surprising plan, given his problems in the past. He made the full -time switch to middleweight after a failed cut for UFC 279.