Sean Strickland believes he knows Khamzat Chimaev’s motives.
The previous UFC middleweight champion boosted his hopes of returning to the throne on Saturday night in what marked his first fight in over a yr.
Strickland knocked out Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston, because the polarizing American closed the cardboard on the Toyota Center with an upset to snap his opponent’s eight-fight winning streak.
After the competition, Strickland called out champion Chimaev. Reasonably than a defense of his title, nevertheless, the Chechen star has been pushing for the possibility to be a challenger once more.
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Sean Strickland thinks he sees through Khamzat Chimaev’s double champ plan
Chimaev has teased a pursuit of Alex Pereira and his light heavyweight gold for months, and a recent rumor suggested a fight with Jiri Prochazka was within the works ahead of ‘Poatan’ moving up himself.
Strickland reacted to that possibility during a backstage interview with Full Send MMA at UFC Houston. It’s secure to say that the American will not be supportive of the champ’s plan.
“He’s a clown,” Strickland said. “You fought once within the middleweight division and also you’re moving up to search out a neater fight?
“You’re picking a very easy path. You’re not a double champ. You’ve won a belt once.
“If the UFC grants that request, it will be a f—ing clown show,” he added. “He doesn’t deserve it.”
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Dana White seemingly agrees with Sean Strickland on Khamzat Chimaev
Fortunately for the UFC Houston most important event winner, his sentiments were also shared by the promotion’s president.
Speaking at his press conference after the event on the Toyota Center, Dana White shut down Chimaev’s light heavyweight plan, citing the undeniable fact that he has not even made one title defense at 185 kilos.
“I’d wish to see him defend his title at a weight first,” White said.
“Yeah, I’d wish to see him defend his title before he talks about jumping around.
“You’re gonna keep going up in weight divisions without defending?
“I’d relatively see him defend,” he added.
Recent history demonstrates that stance, with Ilia Topuria making one featherweight title defense against Max Holloway before moving as much as lightweight in 2025.