Sean Strickland Advised to Double Down on Mind-Games to Rattle Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328

Sean Strickland's trash talk may play a major role ahead of his title shot against former teammate and middleweight kingpin Khamzat Chimaev.

Sean Strickland Advised to Double Down on Mind-Games to Rattle Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328

Sean Strickland asked to double trash talk against Khamzat Chimaev (via MMA Fighting, Bloody Elbow)

In Short
  • Sean Strickland is set to fight Khamzat Chimaev for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026.
  • Aljamain Sterling advises Strickland to use mind games to frustrate Chimaev and gain a competitive edge.
  • Strickland and Chimaev have a contentious history as former training partners, which may influence their upcoming bout.

Sean Strickland is one of the most controversial middleweights in the UFC, known for his political opinions and strong stances. He often uses trash talk to gain an advantage over opponents. Strickland is scheduled to fight Khamzat Chimaev for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 328. Featherweight contender Aljamain Sterling recently discussed key factors for Strickland’s victory ahead of the bout with Chimaev.

UFC 328 is scheduled for May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Chimaev won the middleweight title at UFC 319 in August 2025, defeating Dricus Du Plessis by unanimous decision. Strickland earned his second career title shot after a third‑round technical knockout win over Anthony ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez at UFC Houston, ending the Mexican-American contender’s eight‑fight win streak.

Chimaev is one of the most dominant wrestlers in the UFC and remains undefeated in professional MMA. He relies on wrestling to control opponents with top pressure and ground‑and‑pound tactics. His undefeated record is paired with a stern persona that can intimidate opponents before they step into the cage. Sterling has noted factors that could influence Strickland’s preparation against the champion.

I think Strickland is going to get in his head and force Khamzat to go crazy early on. I think Strickland has a really good chance, especially if he can get Khamzat frustrated and make him fight outside of himself.

Aljamain Sterling via his YouTube channel

Sterling’s comments come after Strickland’s win at UFC Houston, where few expected him to contend with Chimaev. The UFC 328 announcement shifted that perception, as fighters like Dricus Du Plessis and Jorge Masvidal noted Tarzan’s unorthodox striking style. Many consider his technique a potential advantage on the feet against Chimaev, as his unorthodox approach introduces challenges for the Chechen champion.

While Chimaev rarely uses trash talk, Strickland may reference their history as teammates. They trained together at Xtreme Couture Gym before their relationship deteriorated. Strickland has accused ‘Borz’ of involvement in a cryptocurrency token controversy and questioned his ties to a Chechen leader. The two have had several public disagreements online since their training partnership ended.

Sterling’s suggestion that Strickland increase trash talk may be limited as the UFC appears cautious under its new Paramount+ streaming deal. At UFC Houston, Sean Strickland’s microphone was cut during a profanity‑filled post‑fight press conference after defeating Anthony Hernandez. The UFC now streams events on Paramount+ under a $7.7 billion deal, which may influence how it handles uncensored content.

Sean Strickland’s coach highlights how training with Khamzat Chimaev was a fruitful affair

When Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev were teammates at Xtreme Couture Gym, they trained together to improve each other’s skills. Strickland once asked Chimaev to hold back during sessions, noting he was better than other fighters in the gym. He also acknowledged that ‘Borz’ had dominated him in multiple training exercises. Their time together contributed to both fighters’ development.

Erick Nicksick apologizes for his comments on Sean Strickland
Erick Nicksick and Sean Strickland (via MMA Fighting)

However, after that, when both fighters started beefing online, they had contrasting views of how their training and sparring played out. Strickland claims he dominated the sparring sessions, while Chimaev revealed he has footage of beating the controversial middleweight. However, Strickland’s coach, Erick Nicksick, recently revealed how training with Chimaev helped Strickland learn new techniques.

Honestly, I thought they got along really well. I thought they pushed each other really well. I felt like it was more of a competitive environment than anything. Where it kind of took a turn, I honestly couldn’t tell you. It was an opportunity to learn as much as you can from Khamzat—some of his routes, some of the things he does really well on the ground—and just be a student when he’s in here: listen, learn, and observe the way he trains.

Erick Nicksick via The Ariel Helwani Show

Strickland and Erick Nicksick have had a long working relationship, marked by periods of cooperation and tension. Nicksick guided Strickland to a UFC middleweight title and trained him at Xtreme Couture alongside other top fighters. After ‘Tarzan’s loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312, Nicksick criticized his performance. They later reconciled, with Nicksick cornering Sean Strickland for the UFC Houston fight.

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