Jake Paul Calls Out Sean Strickland For Going Back on Trash Talk and Insults After Defeating Khamzat Chimaev

Jake Paul calls out newly crowned middleweight champion Sean Strickland for squashing the beef with Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 328.

Jake Paul Calls Out Sean Strickland For Going Back on Trash Talk and Insults After Defeating Khamzat Chimaev

Jake Paul calls out Sean Strickland (via X, SPORTbible)

Jake Paul remains one of combat sports’ most polarizing figures for his constant trash talk and controversial callouts across disciplines. Paul recently criticized Sean Strickland for changing his tone immediately after winning the UFC middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev. The criticism followed weeks of vulgar comments and heated exchanges throughout their championship fight buildup.

Strickland entered the title fight against Chimaev as a heavy underdog at UFC 328. However, the American delivered a technical performance and defeated the Chechen phenom via split decision to win the title. However, Strickland had made some of his most vulgar comments toward Chimaev during the press conference and face-offs, nearly resulting in a massive brawl.

However, the post-fight reception was shocking. After the fight, Strickland and Chimaev embraced inside the Octagon despite their heated rivalry. The moment surprised many viewers because of the years of insults leading up to the fight.

During the post-fight press conference, Strickland explained that much of his trash talk was intended to help sell the fight. This is why Jake Paul later criticized Strickland and questioned his sudden change in attitude afterward.

When you’re on stage and there is all this energy and build up tension, nerves, and excitement, you might go a little bit too far. At the end of the day, when you go toe to toe with someone, you’re gonna respect them and you almost want to be friends after… But I do think there are certain things that you can’t walk back in terms of religion, and just all that crazy stuff… To me, I found that to be pretty wild even to my standards.

Jake Paul via The Ariel Helwani Show

Strickland’s comments about regretting his previous remarks surprised many, given his aggressive behavior throughout fight week. During the UFC 328 ceremonial weigh-ins, Strickland went on an expletive-filled rant regarding ‘Borz’ reportedly missing weight before the title fight. Even UFC CEO Dana White recently admitted that he does not fully believe this calmer side of the new middleweight champion.

This was not the first time Paul publicly called out Strickland over controversial behavior. Previously, Paul offered Strickland $1 million after the controversial superstar dominated streamer Sneako during a friendly sparring session and made his nose bleed badly during training. Strickland later responded by accusing ‘The Problem Child’ of using fake pay-per-view numbers to promote his boxing events.

On the other hand, Strickland has often criticized Paul for fighting older and retired opponents throughout his boxing career. The 185lbs champion was especially vocal about Paul’s highly controversial fight against heavyweight legend Mike Tyson on Netflix. However, the recent criticism from Paul, who remains one of combat sports’ most polarizing personalities himself, has added another layer to their ongoing rivalry.

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Is Jake Paul’s boxing career over after a brutal jaw injury?

Jake Paul first entered boxing in 2018 after building massive popularity through YouTube and social media content creation. His first amateur bout came against fellow YouTuber Deji Olatunji in Manchester, where Paul secured a fifth-round technical knockout victory. He later turned professional in 2020 and quickly defeated AnEsonGib and former NBA player Nate Robinson in back-to-back stoppage wins.

Jake Paul
Jake Paul (via MMA Mania)

Paul later defeated former MMA stars, including Ben Askren, Anderson Silva, and Mike Perry, during his rise in boxing. In December 2025, Paul faced former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in the biggest fight of his career. However, Joshua knocked him out in the sixth round and left Paul with a broken jaw in two places. Paul recently admitted that doctors remain unsure about his return to boxing.

It does feel a lot better as weeks go by and time goes by. But I definitely need to get cleared first to be able to spar but I am sort of staying in shape. I’m always in the gym pretty much regardless. Just staying in shape and enjoying some mitt work. I think it just depends on how the bone heals and then also there’s a tooth missing here that I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to get an implanted tooth of some sort. I don’t know how much time that’s going to add to things. But we just have to see and figure out what the smartest thing is for me.

Jake Paul via The Ariel Helwani Show

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his fighting future, Jake Paul remains heavily involved in combat sports through Most Valuable Promotions and the sports betting company Betr. The Cleveland native is now focused on the upcoming inaugural MVP MMA event, headlined by Gina Carano and Ronda Rousey, with both the legends coming out of extended retirements for the extravaganza.

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