Sparring sessions are an important tool in a fighter’s regimen. But it becomes extra competitive when it’s between fighters in the same weight class who may eventually fight each other, just like with Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland. The duo has trained together in the past. And with tensions rising between them, Chimaev has come forward with a shocking revelation.
The undefeated Chechen fighter has thrown down the gauntlet. This came after he recently withdrew from the Robert Whittaker fight. Talking to Red Corner MMA, he claimed that he not only bested Strickland in sparring but also choked him out.
“There were a lot of guys around who saw me choking him and beating him up. It was even recorded on camera,” Chimaev stated.
Of course, in the world of MMA, talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words. Neither fighter has released any video evidence of their sparring session.
For now, it’s a battle of narratives. Strickland is known for his aggressive sparring style. But Chimaev, a rising star with a perfect professional record, is a pressure machine and is eager to choke and dominate opponents. So, one of these guys needs to release the video of the sparring for combat sports fans to have their burning questions answered.
Khamzat Chimaev Stands Fast On Israel-Palestine Conflict; Warns Sean Strickland
Fighters, just like regular people, have beliefs and attachments to various things and entities. As such, tensions often simmer outside the octagon. Aside from regular sparring, the verbal sparring match between Strickland and Chimaev happened earlier this year.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral UFC stories via Google! Follow Us
Chimaev, in his trademark aggressive fighting style, aimed at Strickland. He suggested that the American fighter should be “afraid” of him and other Muslim fighters. This comes after Strickland’s controversial comments about the Israel-Palestine conflict.
“We’ll fight with everyone, as the fights in the cage aren’t that big a thing, you know? If we can make some people happy who are going through hard times, Muslims, all Muslims watching us, Khabib or Belal. We know the kids are watching and want to be like us. Sean Strickland and all these guys, they should be afraid of us,” Chimaev stated while talking to Mohammad Hijab.
The undefeated fighter didn’t mince words when discussing Sean Strickland’s reluctance to engage on the topic. The ‘Tarzan’ had earlier criticized Belal Muhammad’s stance on the conflict. The middleweight champion’s blunt style has often landed him in hot water with the Chechen. Combat sports fans would love to see these two opposing ideological fighters duke it out in the octagon.
