“Hardly Landed One Punch” – Khamzat Chimaev Releasing Sparring Clips With Sean Strickland Sparks Fan Backlash

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev's recent attempt at demeaning Sean Strickland gets questioned by fans.

“Hardly Landed One Punch” – Khamzat Chimaev Releasing Sparring Clips With Sean Strickland Sparks Fan Backlash

Khamzat Chimaev reveals Sean Strickland sparring footage (via X)

In Short
  • Khamzat Chimaev released sparring footage with Sean Strickland, escalating their rivalry ahead of UFC 328.
  • Critics argue the footage fails to show Chimaev's dominance, highlighting limited success in striking exchanges.
  • The UFC has increased security and canceled faceoffs to prevent altercations amid rising tensions between the fighters.

Khamzat Chimaev’s rivalry with Sean Strickland is one of the most intense storylines heading into UFC 328, driven by anticipation for their fight. The matchup stems from tension during their time as training partners, where sparring created friction. Their shared history fuels disputes over what happened in those sessions. ‘Borz’ has now escalated the rivalry by releasing sparring footage involving Strickland.

Chimaev and Strickland trained together at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas under Eric Nicksick during the Chechen star’s short camp visits. Chimaev’s team brought him in for focused preparation blocks, placing him alongside Strickland in structured sparring under the gym’s coaching setup. The sessions involved UFC-level training exchanges before their relationship broke down and shifted into a public rivalry.

Initially, Chimaev and Strickland showed mutual respect. Strickland admitted he once asked ‘Borz’ to slow down in sparring. That stance later changed as Strickland walked back those comments and downplayed Chimaev’s dominance. This led Chimaev to claim he had choked out Strickland multiple times in training. The released sparring footage ties into those claims as he attempts to support his version.

A key turning point came when Strickland criticized Chimaev over his association with Chechen political leader Ramzan Kadyrov and accused him of links to cryptocurrency scams. The remarks pushed the rivalry into personal territory. Chimaev responded by calling out Strickland over an emotional moment from Theo Von’s podcast. This exchange marked the shift into a personal feud between them.

Strickland reignited tensions by calling out the Chechen superstar after his title win at UFC 319. At the time, Strickland was seen as outside contention after back-to-back losses to Dricus Du Plessis in title fights. His position changed following a third-round TKO over Anthony ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez at UFC Houston. The win boosted his standing and helped earn him a shot at the middleweight champion.

Their rivalry has taken another step as Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland exchange warnings heading into fight week at the Prudential Center on May 9. The UFC has canceled faceoffs and increased security to prevent altercations amid rising tension. These measures highlight the intensity surrounding the matchup. The focus now shifts to their bout, which will act as the ultimate resolution of the rivalry.

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Fans react to Khamzat Chimaev’s questionable footage of sparring Sean Strickland

Khamzat Chimaev has long faced criticism for his wrestling-heavy style, with many noting his tendency to limit striking and keep fights on the ground. Critics have often pointed to his preference for control over stand-up exchanges. That narrative resurfaced after recent sparring footage with Sean Strickland. In the clip, Chimaev is seen landing very few clean strikes in stand-up exchanges.

Khamzat Chimaev, Sean Strickland
Khamzat Chimaev wants to finish Sean Strickland at UFC 328 [via Cageside Press and UFC.com]

Criticism grew after the sparring footage was released, as many felt it failed to support Chimaev’s intended narrative. Instead of showing clear dominance, the clip highlighted limited success in striking exchanges against Strickland. Its short, selective nature also raised questions about the missing context from the full session. As a result, the release has largely backfired by reinforcing existing doubts.

Another section of fans focused on Sean Strickland’s cautious look in the footage, noting it contrasts with his usual aggressive style. Some pointed to his past sparring with amateurs and influencers as a very different dynamic. They argued those sessions showed him in control against lower-level opposition. In comparison, they viewed the Chimaev session as showing a more tested version of the controversial star.

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