Tag: Sean Strickland

Khamzat Chimaev Fires Back at Sean Strickland: ‘I Tapped Him Out in Training’

Khamzat Chimaev Fires Back at Sean Strickland: 'I Tapped Him Out in Training'Khamzat Chimaev claims he tapped out Sean Strickland multiple times during their training sessions. On Saturday, ‘Borz’ will return…

Khamzat Chimaev Fires Back at Sean Strickland: 'I Tapped Him Out in Training'

Khamzat Chimaev claims he tapped out Sean Strickland multiple times during their training sessions.

On Saturday, ‘Borz’ will return to the Octagon for the first time in a year when he meets former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.

Khamzat Chimaev

With a win, Chimaev could earn himself a shot at the division’s top prize—once reigning titleholder Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland settle a bit of business first.

Ahead of Chimaev’s upcoming clash with ‘The Reaper,’ Strickland made some disparaging remarks about the unbeaten UFC star, much of it surrounding Chimaev’s controversial relationship with Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov.

Khamzat Chimaev

Though Chimaev has largely denied any issues with entering the United States, it has been long-rumored that his friendship with Kadyrov has kept him from competing stateside over the last couple of years.

Strickland also took a dig at Chimaev over a cryptocurrency scam ‘Borz’ was linked to earlier this year.

Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev snaps back at ‘Tarzan’

Responding to Strickland’s rant, Chimaev made it clear that he has no beef with Strickland and even commended his work ethic in the gym. Of course, ‘Borz’ also mentioned that he repeatedly forced ‘Tarzan’ to tap out during their training sessions.

“Yeah, we sparred with him and trained with the guy.” Chimaev told Michael Bisping. “I don’t know. He’s been good when we’ve been in the gym, when I go back to Sweden he starts to tweet and do some things. He didn’t like when I said that I tapped him out [in training]. Yeah, [I tapped him out] many times bro.”

“[I got him with] chokes, and many other things. He’s good, he trains good, he’s a good fighter you know? Tough guy, tough dude. But, what I said are the things everyone see in the gym. Just ask his coach” (h/t BJPenn.com).

If Strickland reclaims the middleweight title in his yet-to-be-announced rematch against Dricus Du Plessis and Chimaev comes out on top against Whittaker this weekend, perhaps we could see the two middleweight warriors hash things out on MMA’s biggest stage in 2025.

Nina Drama Leaks Funny DM Exchange with Sean Strickland About Barefoot UFC Vegas 98 Moment

Sean Strickland, Nina DramaFormer UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland cornered one of his teammates without any shoes at UFC Vegas 98 on…

Sean Strickland, Nina Drama

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland cornered one of his teammates without any shoes at UFC Vegas 98 on Saturday.

Strickland helped guide UFC heavyweight Sean Sharaf in the talented brawler’s promotional debut on Saturday in Las Vegas. Sharaf took a fight with Junior Tafa on days’ notice and despite an exciting start, lost by second-round TKO.

Strickland, one of Sharaf’s Xtreme Couture teammates, was a key part of the heavyweight’s rushed fight preparation. Fight fans and broadcast viewers could hear and see Strickland guiding Sharaf in between Rounds 1 and 2.

After Nina noticed Strickland without shoes or socks on for his UFC cornering, the social media influencer shared a humorous exchange with him over DMs.

Sean Strickland Goes Shoeless In UFC Corner Appearance

Check out Strickland’s explanation for not wearing shoes in the corner below.

Strickland hasn’t fought since a win over former UFC title challenger Paulo Costa in June. He’s likely next for UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis; who defended the belt against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305.

Strickland lost to du Plessis at UFC 297 by split decision after pulling off a mammoth title fight upset last year. Despite entering UFC 293 as a significant underdog, he pitched a shutout against Adesanya to earn the world title.

While Strickland is known for his controversial moments outside of the cage, his interviews with Nina have shown a comedic sign to the brash UFC star. His sitdowns with Nina are amongst the highest-viewed media appearances of his UFC career.

Strickland doesn’t express self-humor very often; a side that Nina has successfully showcased.

Sean Strickland’s Coach Drops Bombshell DM From Dricus du Plessis Before UFC Title Rematch

Sean Strickland, Dricus du PlessisFormer UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is on a second collision course with Dricus du Plessis, as the current…

Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is on a second collision course with Dricus du Plessis, as the current titleholder seemed to confirm in a recent text.

Du Plessis captured the UFC middleweight title by defeating Strickland in an instant classic at UFC 297. It was a back-and-forth war from start to finish, and du Plessis walked away with the split decision victory.

After defending the belt against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, du Plessis will likely face Strickland for his second title defense. Strickland got back on track with a largely-dominant win over Paulo Costa in June.

While the first buildup to du Plessis vs. Strickland got personal, things might take a more respectful turn this time around.

Coach Eric Nicksick shares text from Dricus du Plessis ahead of Sean Strickland rematch

In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, coach Eric Nicksick revealed a classy message from du Plessis ahead of the Strickland run-back.

“It’s hard to emulate what Dricus does because he’s very unorthodox but knows what he’s doing in his own style. There are so many things that we didn’t do right [at UFC 297]… I’m looking forward to this matchup again, Dricus wrote [to] me a couple of days ago, he’s like, ‘Yo, I’m excited to go against you again bro,’” Nicksick said of the Du Plessis vs. Strickland rematch. “I have all the love and respect for Dricus and his team, but this is our job.” (h/t SportsKeeda)

Du Plessis is undefeated in his UFC tenure with wins against the likes of Robert Whittaker, Derek Brunson, and Darren Till. He’s emerged as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world despite an unorthodox style.

Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2 could kick off the 2025 UFC slate almost a full year after their first fight. In the meantime, both sides seem transfixed on their rematch ahead of a likely announcement.

Sean Strickland To Train With Bellator Champion For Dricus Du Plessis Rematch

It is all but official that Sean Strickland will be fighting Dricus Du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship next. When they last fought in January 2024, DDP won a razor-close split decision to become the new champion. Strickland returned in June 2024 to win yet another split decision, this time against Paulo Costa which […]

Continue Reading Sean Strickland To Train With Bellator Champion For Dricus Du Plessis Rematch at MMA News.

It is all but official that Sean Strickland will be fighting Dricus Du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship next. When they last fought in January 2024, DDP won a razor-close split decision to become the new champion.

Strickland returned in June 2024 to win yet another split decision, this time against Paulo Costa which he believed to be enough for another title shot. Du Plessis, on the other hand, defended the title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, becoming the first fighter to submit “The Last Stylebender.”

To ensure Strickland doesn’t lose the rematch, Eric Nicksick will rely on a Bellator champion who brings out the best in his fighter…

Sean Strickland’s Coach Trusts Johhny Eblen With Emulating Dricus Du Plessis’ Style In Training

Nicksick recently appeared on the MMAFightingonSBN YouTube channel to discuss his fighters like Francis Ngannou, Strickland, and Daniel Zellhuber. When asked about the former UFC middleweight champion, he admitted that a better game plan could’ve helped him beat “Stillknocks”.

The coach then brought up Johnny Eblen, the reigning Bellator middleweight champion. The undefeated American fighter has defended the belt three times and will rematch Fabian Edwards in the upcoming Saudi Arabia card. After healing up from the fight, Nicksick expects Eblen to join Strickland in training for DDP.

“I’m bringing in Johnny Eblen, for sure. Like, I brought Johhny in, we brought Johnny in for, well, we bring him in all the time but Johnny will fight on the Saudi card so once he gets healed up and ready to come, we’ll have him out here. Johnny brings the best out of Sean, and in styles, I think Johnny can emulate so many different styles for us. He’s another guy I consider a teammate although he’s a, you know, ATT champion. We cross train quite a bit so I’m gonna lean heavy on Johnny Eblen this camp.”

The coach credited Du Plessis for having an unorthodox yet effective fighting style. Although it is hard to copy such a fighter, he believes Eblen to be the best at it. Despite being an American Top Team fighter, he regularly cross-trains at Xtreme Couture.

On top of having the best training partners possible, Nicksick wants to rectify a bunch of errors this time around. He highlighted Strickland’s high dependency on his jab and believes adding more tools to his fighter’s arsenal could be worthwhile.

Continue Reading Sean Strickland To Train With Bellator Champion For Dricus Du Plessis Rematch at MMA News.

Jon Anik Breaks Down the UFC Middleweight Division and What’s Next For It’s Top 3 Contenders

Jon Anik Breaks Down the UFC Middleweight Division and What's Next For It's Top 3 ContendersJon Anik thinks the UFC’s middleweight division has never been stronger. As it stands, there are a slew of…

Jon Anik Breaks Down the UFC Middleweight Division and What's Next For It's Top 3 Contenders

Jon Anik thinks the UFC’s middleweight division has never been stronger.

As it stands, there are a slew of potential title challengers at 185, namely Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, Khamzat Chimaev, and Nassourdine Imavov. The question of who’s next for reigning titleholder Dricus Du Plessis is by no means an easy one, but for the longtime play-by-play man, Strickland makes the most sense.

Jon Anik

Not just because he sits as the division’s top-ranked contender, but because he’s earned the rematch by being a company man through and through.

“I don’t think it’s hyperbolic or overstating it to suggest that the middleweight division, right now, has never been stronger,” Anik told The Schmo. “Right? Sean Strickland’s a worthy number-one contender. Nassourdine Imavov, on and on it could go!”

He continued, “In a straight meritocracy, I’m on record as promoting Sean Strickland because he has repeatedly stepped up for the promotion. Let us not forget he put his number four ranking on the line against Alex Pereira when nobody wanted to fight ‘Poatan.’ He has stepped into main events against guys, he’s stepped into a five round fight against Paulo Costa. And he fought Dricus Du Plessis toe-to-toe. So in a straight meritocracy, if I’m the promoter, I lean Strickland.”

Jon Anik thinks ‘Borz’ could be next for izzy

Even though UFC CEO Dana White has already promised Strickland his rematch with Du Plessis, it’s not quite that simple. Later this month, we’ve got a big matchup between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev that could very well produce the next middleweight title challenger.

Jon Anik

Then there’s Israel Adesanya who, despite having lost back-to-back bouts, is always right there in the title picture and could step in at a moment’s notice.

Asked what’s next for ‘The Last Stylebender,’ Anik suggested that a clash with Chimaev could be his ticket back to the title, but that all depends on how things play out between ‘Borz’ and Whittaker in Abu Dhabi on October 26.

“I think if you’re Izzy, you just lay back in the cut and maybe it’s Khamzat. I mean that’s a fight that I think would have some appeal but Khamzat could be in a championship setting.”

Jon Anik

Jon Anik Shares Best Potential Matchups For Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland & Dricus Du Plessis

The UFC middleweight division has changed a lot in the last couple of years. The turmoil that started after Anderson Silva finally lost the belt ended with Israel Adesanya unifying the title and defending it five times. Alex Pereira then fired through the ranks to take out Izzy at UFC 281 but “The Last Stylebender” […]

Continue Reading Jon Anik Shares Best Potential Matchups For Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland & Dricus Du Plessis at MMA News.

The UFC middleweight division has changed a lot in the last couple of years. The turmoil that started after Anderson Silva finally lost the belt ended with Israel Adesanya unifying the title and defending it five times.

Alex Pereira then fired through the ranks to take out Izzy at UFC 281 but “The Last Stylebender” reclaimed his belt at UFC 287 with one of the most iconic knockouts of all time.

Just when it seemed like Adesanya would be champion for at least a couple more years, Sean Strickland pulled off one of the biggest upsets of all time to become champ. He then lost the belt to Dricus Du Plessis, who’s already defended it once against Adesanya.

Amidst the unusual turbulence at the top ranks, here’s how the UFC middleweight division should operate according to Jon Anik…

Jon Anik Backs Sean Strickland As Next UFC Middleweight Title Contender While Suggesting Israel Adesanya vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Anik claimed the UFC middleweight division to be stronger than ever during an interview on the official The Schmo YouTube channel. When asked about who should fight for the title next, the play-by-play commentator named Strickland.

“I don’t think it’s hyperbolic or overstating it to suggest that the middleweight division, right now, has never been stronger. Right? Sean Strickland’s a worthy number-one contender. Nassourdine Imavov, on and on it could go!”

Anik backed his choice by recalling the times Strickland has stepped up for the UFC and citing his recent win over Paulo Costa and the extremely close decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis, the current champ. He also credited the former UFC middleweight kingpin for risking his top 5 ranking against Pereira in 2022.

“Well, in a straight meritocracy, I’m on record as promoting Sean Strickland because he has repeatedly stepped up for the promotion. Let us not forget he put his number four ranking on the line against Alex Pereira when nobody wanted to fight Poatan. He has stepped into main events against guys, he’s stepped into a five round fight against Paulo Costa. And he fought Dricus Du Plessis toe-to-toe. So in a straight meritocracy, if I’m the promoter, I lean Strickland.”

Although he’s no longer the champ, Adesanya is still likely the biggest draw in the division. So, when asked about the best matchup for his return, Anik named Chimaev who’s fighting Robert Whittaker at UFC 308. With that match, the former champ should be able to make the most of his star power and help elevate Chimaev’s popularity as well.

“I think if you’re Izzy, you just lay back in the cut and maybe it’s Khamzat. I mean that’s a fight that I think would have some appeal but Khamzat could be in a championship setting.”

Anik acknowledged that the match between Whittaker and Chimaev is bound to shake things up. The winner will likely have an undeniable claim to a title shot and it’ll be interesting to see whether Strickland will be overlooked in the process.

Continue Reading Jon Anik Shares Best Potential Matchups For Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland & Dricus Du Plessis at MMA News.