Rivalries are a part and parcel of combat sports. But until now, no one has heard of a rivalry between a flyweight and a middleweight. Henry Cejudo recently revealed a shocking encounter with rising star Khamzat Chimaev. The incident, which took place at the Paris Olympics, has set the MMA world abuzz with speculation and intrigue.
Cejudo, known for his Olympic gold medal and UFC accomplishments, shared the story on his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast. Co-host and former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman listened in disbelief as Cejudo recounted the confrontation.
“And then he sees me, he’s like ‘Henry Cejudo, you’re a rat piece of sh**.’ And then I kind of had a feeling this dude kind of had a [grudge against me] because he’s blocked me from a lot of the social media…So anyway, I just left,” said Cejudo.
The unexpected clash occurred while Cejudo was trying to secure tickets for an Olympic event. Chimaev, accompanied by several companions, allegedly approached Cejudo with hostility, catching the former champ off guard.
Cejudo speculates that his previous criticisms of ‘Borz‘ on the podcast may have sparked the animosity. He had also been vocal in supporting Usman ahead of his fight with Chimaev last year. This unexpected beef adds another layer to the complex web of UFC rivalries. Moreover, Chimaev, set to face Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in October, now has a new adversary in the outspoken Cejudo.
Sean Strickland Responds To Khamzat Chimaev’s Claims
Former middleweight champion Strickland has ignited a war of words with the undefeated sensation Chimaev. The spark was a contentious claim about their past sparring sessions. Chimaev had boasted that he thoroughly dominated Strickland during their training together. ‘Borz’ even claimed video evidence to support his assertions.
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This bold statement didn’t sit well with ‘Tarzan,’ who quickly fired back with his own version of events. In a fiery post on social media, Strickland declared that he was the one who made Khamzat Chimaev quit after COVID-19.
“I made [Khamzat] retire after COVID. I’m fighting for the belt then he can get the smoke,” said Strickland via X.
The timing of this beef couldn’t be more intriguing. Chimaev, who recently moved up to middleweight, demands a title shot. This doesn’t sit well with Strickland, who lost his belt immediately after winning it and is eager for another chance at glory. Whether fans will see these two duke it out in the Octagon still remains a mystery. However, with personalities like Strickland and Chimaev in the mix, there’s never a dull moment.
Also Read: Kamaru Usman Blasts Belal Muhammad’s ‘Inflated Ego’ Since Winning Belt
