“You’re next” – Khamzat Chimaev warns of lightning-fast finish against former training partner Sean Strickland

Khamzat Chimaev warns UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland following his recent victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294.

“You’re next” – Khamzat Chimaev warns of lightning-fast finish against former training partner Sean Strickland

Khamzat Chimaev warns Sean Strickland (Image via Imago)

Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman clashed in a thrilling showdown at UFC 294. This victory marked the end of the long-drawn hiatus of the Chechen fighters. After the win over the former UFC welterweight champion, Chimaev has warned the current UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland.


With this fresh win over Kamaru Usman, Khamzat Chimaev is well on his way to challenge for the UFC middleweight title. UFC CEO Dana White had confirmed it earlier ahead of the event. However, it did raise some eyebrows among fans who expected to see Dricus du Plessis in the next title fight.

Irrespective of the chatter, Chimaev is now firmly on course to clash with the current middleweight champion, Sean Strickland. Khamzat Chimaev wasted no time firing a warning shot at Sean Strickland on X. He wrote:

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 @SStricklandMMA you are next don’t worry you know haw fast I can finish you.


Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman headlined the co-main event at UFC 294. The fight ended with Khamzat Chimaev walking away with a decision victory. It was a closely contested match and both fighters displayed their ultimate performance.

However, the judges ultimately gave the nod to Chimaev. This victory further cemented Chimaev’s undefeated record. His professional record now stands at an impressive 13 wins and 0 losses.

Sean Strickland does not believe Khamzat Chimaev deserves a title shot

Sean Strickland does not believe Khamzat Chimaev deserves a title shot just yet. Strickland is not a fan of Chimaev’s fighting abilities. Instead, he sees Chimaev as a cash cow in the world of mixed martial arts. Chimaev might draw fans to the arena, but Strickland estimated that he has not truly earned his place.

Sean Strickland
Sean Strickland commented on Khamzat Chimaev’s prospective title shot after UFC 294 victory (Image via Imago )

Strickland was even willing to face Khamzat Chimaev in a five-round UFC battle, but he maintained that Chimaev’s accomplishments fell short. Winning a decision against Kamaru Usman does not, in Strickland’s book, constitute deserving it. He stated:

 He hasn’t f*cking deserved it... I’ll go fight the f*cking man for five rounds. But no, he’s not earned it. He doesn’t f*cking deserve it. Getting a decision with a welterweight off the couch is not f*king earning it.

Sean Strickland would rather prefer to face Dricus Du Plessis for his first title defense. Du Plessis sports an unblemished record in the UFC and boasts an impressive eight-fight winning streak. His most recent TKO victory over former champion Robert Whittaker has strengthened his case for a title opportunity.

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