Tensions have escalated once again between Khamzat Chimaev and former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, as their long-standing feud continues to draw attention ahead of UFC 319. Both fighters share a complicated history, having trained together at Xtreme Couture early in their careers before Chimaev transitioned fully to the middleweight division.

Chimaev is preparing for a title showdown with UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC 319, marking his first shot at the championship after defeating his first eight opponents in the UFC decisively. Despite his focus on the upcoming fight, Chimaev remains embroiled in a heated exchange with Strickland, who has not held back in his criticisms.

Khamzat Chimaev’s Reaction to Gym Bully Accusations

Sean Strickland recently launched a scathing verbal attack on Chimaev during an interview, calling into question Chimaev’s legitimacy and mocking his previous performance while recovering from COVID. Strickland recalled sarcastically praising Chimaev at that time, when Chimaev had a 1-1 record.

I was there when he retired from COVID. I was training with him. There’s a video of me, and I was like ‘Oh, you’re so good, you’re better than everybody’, and I’m being sarcastic,

Strickland said.

Strickland went further by accusing Chimaev of selectively choosing opponents based on superficial factors rather than skill, implying cowardice with a blunt statement:

No dude, you’re picking him because you’re a b—.

In response, Chimaev addressed these accusations during a media day press conference in Los Angeles, denying any previous issues while training together and challenging Strickland to confront him personally.

When I was there, he never said anything. When I left Las Vegas, when they stopped my [travel VISA], he started to talk,

Chimaev said.

When I came back, I’m in Los Angeles. Come on. If it’s something personal for you, just come. I’m here. Whenever he wants.

Strickland Predicts Du Plessis to Defend Title at UFC 319

While Chimaev focuses on his upcoming title fight, Strickland has voiced strong support for his two-time rival Dricus du Plessis, predicting that Du Plessis will successfully defend the middleweight championship at UFC 319. Strickland’s opinion is influenced by both his previous ten rounds facing Du Plessis and his brief time as Chimaev’s training partner.

Strickland believes that stopping Chimaev’s wrestling abilities will not be overly difficult and credits Du Plessis’s superior striking as the key advantage. Notably, Kamaru Usman remains the only fighter to have effectively challenged Chimaev’s grappling in the UFC.

After UFC 319, Chimaev has indicated a possible return to the welterweight division despite his previous challenges with weight cuts, especially following a difficult reduction before UFC 279. His full-time move to middleweight came as a response to those issues, making any future division changes noteworthy.

What’s Next for the Middleweight Division and the Ongoing Feud?

If Khamzat Chimaev secures a victory over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, it could reshape the middleweight division’s landscape and open opportunities for previously defeated contenders such as Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya. Strickland had been briefly mentioned as a potential first title defense opponent after defeating Adesanya at UFC 293, but Du Plessis received the shot first for UFC 297.

The ongoing feud between Chimaev and Strickland adds another layer of intensity to the division, with both fighters not holding back in their verbal exchanges. Their shared history as former teammates turned rivals has fueled a narrative that will likely continue to develop as their careers progress and the middleweight championship scene evolves.