Khamzat Chimaev’s Confrontation with Sean Strickland Led to Increasing ‘Gun Presence’ in MMA Gym

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev reveals a story from his training days with arch-rival Sean Strickland.

Khamzat Chimaev’s Confrontation with Sean Strickland Led to Increasing ‘Gun Presence’ in MMA Gym

Khamzat Chimaev scared Sean Strickland (via Toronto Sun, Instagram)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

The UFC landscape has often seen rivalries extend beyond the Octagon, and the latest revelation involving Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland has once again brought attention to the sport’s volatile personalities. The incident in question dates back to their previous online altercations, which have resurfaced due to new claims by Chimaev about their training days together.

Chimaev recently claimed the UFC middleweight championship after technically dismantling Dricus Du Plessis in their UFC 319 title fight. The bout ended in one of the most dominant unanimous decisions in UFC history (50-44, 50-44, 50-44). After the bout, many fighters started calling out Chimaev for a title shot and expressed their wish to face the Chechen superstar.

At the top of those fighters was Strickland, who immediately took to X and revealed that he would take anger management classes to expedite his suspension, allowing him to return and defeat Chimaev. The two formerly used to train together at Xtreme Couture gym in Las Vegas, relating to which Chimaev recently revealed an instance that scared Strickland enough to carry a gun to the gym.

I don’t know. When we used to train together, he was normal. Well, one time I got angry with him and the next day, he was walking around the gym with a gun, he thought I’d attack him.

Khamzat Chimaev via Badaev podcast

Strickland has long been known for his outspoken personality and controversial statements outside the cage. His familiarity with firearms is also well-documented, as he has often shared his views on gun ownership and training on social media. Most recently, ‘Tarzan’ also made headlines for posting photos from his wedding while holding heavy firearms.

Chimaev and Strickland once shared a mutual respect during their early days training in the same gyms and crossing paths at UFC events. Strickland also commended Borz’s grappling prowess multiple times and termed him as one of the best wrestlers in the UFC. However, their relationship began to deteriorate when Strickland publicly criticized Chimaev for his association with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

Khamzat Chimaev is now rumored to be in discussions for a potential showdown against reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Meanwhile, Sean Strickland remains under suspension, with no official update regarding his next appearance in the Octagon. As both careers move in different directions, their past conflict remains a notable chapter in the UFC’s ongoing narrative of rivalries.

Khamzat Chimaev calls out Petr Yan for diminishing his Russian nationality

Khamzat Chimaev has once again found himself at the center of public discussion following remarks made about his nationality by former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan. The situation emerged after Yan questioned Chimaev’s affiliations, leading the undefeated champion to address the matter during a recent appearance where he reflected on his background and connections to Russia.

Khamzat Chimaev responds to Petr Yan
Khamzat Chimaev responds to Petr Yan (via Sportsbible, MMA Mania)

Chimaev and Yan have a shared history of training together, particularly during camps involving athletes from Russia and neighboring regions. Both fighters have represented their respective nations on the global MMA stage, with ‘Borz’ being born in Chechnya before relocating to Sweden early in his career, and Yan representing Russia throughout his time in the UFC.

We used to train together at the same facility, and he goes on to say, ‘I don’t consider Khamzat as a Russian fighter.’ Yan became champion way before I did, right? He earned good money. Have I built a gym in Russia? Yes, I have. I’ve built roads in Russia, and I have been helping the youth in Russia. How can Petr Yan, with a Chinese last name, claim that a Chechen guy is not Russian?

Khamzat Chimaev via Aslanbek Badaev

Over the years, Khamzat Chimaev has represented both Russia and the United Arab Emirates on several occasions, reflecting his deep ties to both regions through training and competition. Despite his international recognition, he has remained closely connected to his roots in Chechnya, frequently contributing to local initiatives and providing support to youth sports programs in his hometown.

Also Read: