Khamzat Chimaev Hints at UFC 328 Pay by Showering Love Towards Sean Strickland

Only a few days remain till Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland are locked inside the octagon to determine the fate of the UFC middleweight title. This feud between the former teammates has escalated and taken a dark turn as their fight draws closer. However, ‘Borz’ made a surprising confession while replying to Strickland’s inflammatory comments.

Sean Strickland has done his best to kick things up to another gear in this feud. He has gone after the middleweight champion incessantly on social media and media appearances. For his part, though, Khamzat Chimaev has remained relatively passive, mostly only reacting to Strickland’s comments when asked.

As the fight week for UFC 328 commences, both fighters appeared for their obligatory media scrums. During his appearance, Sean Strickland unloaded on his upcoming opponent, saying ‘Borz’ should be grateful to him for how much money he is making him compared to the former No.1 contender, Nassourdine Imavov.

Do you want to go watch Nassourdine [Imavov] and [Khamzat[ Chimaev fight? No, you don’t…No one gives a [expletive] about them. Yeah. Be happy, Chimaev. I’m making you money, you terrorist.

Sean Strickland via UFC 328 media scrum

One would not expect Khamzat Chimaev to respond in kind to the vitriolic comments made by Sean Strickland. However, the middleweight champion had a very sensible take when he was asked if Strickland was the opponent he hated the most. The Chechen also revealed that UFC 328 was set to be his biggest payday yet.

I love him. I don’t know…They pay good for him…I never made that much money before. That’s good.

Khamzat Chimaev via UFC 328 media scrum

Sean Strickland: “Be happy, Chimaev. I’m making you money, you f*cking terrorist.”

Khamzat Chimaev: “I love him. I’ve never made that much money before.”

😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/T3M8StHUdF

— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) May 5, 2026

Despite the bitter rivalry between these two middleweights, it seems Khamzat Chimaev is keeping his eye on the prize. Even so, the UFC has still reportedly limited interactions between the UFC 328 main eventers. After all, despite his words, Borz also said that he would meet Strickland’s challenge for extreme violence openly, even looking for the American in a hotel lobby.

Moreover, Chimaev has reiterated numerous times that such feuds were simply a means for him to maximize the money he makes during his stint as middleweight champion. This mature attitude may be a reflection of the 32-year-old’s plans for his future in the UFC.

Khamzat Chimaev reveals plans for a move up to light heavyweight

Khamzat Chimaev recently shared that he wanted to box Conor McGregor under ZUFFA boxing someday. However, it seems that is a plan ‘Borz’ has reserved for the far-flung future. His plans for his career in the near future apparently involve moving up in weight to the light heavyweight division.

The UFC middleweight champion revealed this while speaking to the media ahead of UFC 328. The Chechen champion spilled his plans when he was asked about May 9 being his final appearance in the UFC’s middleweight division. His reply, however, was partly coy, partly serious.

I hope so, I like to eat pizza, man. We will see.

Khamzat Chimaev via UFC 328 media scrum

Khamzat Chimaev has teased a move to the UFC’s 205lbs division for years now. The division is currently in disarray, with the recently crowned champion, Carlos Ulberg, out for the foreseeable future as he heals up from a torn ACL. The injury to him has led to the light heavyweight division returning to its pre-Alex Pereira days of instability and chaos.

Perhaps a move up to 205lbs for Khamzat Chimaev could be what the division needs right now. However, it’s more than likely that Nassourdine Imavov will not be too keen on that move for Chimaev. All that said, Chimaev will have the luxury to plan for the future only after he takes care of Sean Strickland this weekend at Newark.

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