Sean Strickland claims he made Khamzat Chimaev ‘quit’ in training, Chimaev responds
MMA Fighting
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Sean Strickland has reignited his rivalry with Khamzat Chimaev following their recent interactions in training and media interviews. Strickland claims that during a sparring session, he made Chimaev quit by dominating him in positional grappling. He described how he allowed Chimaev to choke him but ultimately outclassed him. Strickland also criticized Chimaev for avoiding tougher opponents and hinted at the possibility of moving up to 205 pounds to fight Jiri Prochazka, suggesting Chimaev is hiding from challenges. Chimaev responded by mocking Strickland on social media, pointing out his victory over Dricus du Plessis, who has twice defeated Strickland.
The tension between the two fighters escalated after Chimaev initially claimed that Strickland doesn’t like him because he made Strickland tap out during training. However, Strickland refuted this, insisting the situation was the opposite and highlighting how Chimaev targeted weaker opponents during sparring sessions. Strickland also criticized Chimaev’s career choices, suggesting he avoids facing top-tier competition. He referenced Chimaev’s recent rumored move to light heavyweight as an example of avoiding tough matchups.
Chimaev, who won the UFC middleweight title by defeating du Plessis in August 2023, has yet to book his first title defense. Strickland used this opportunity to challenge him further, emphasizing that Chimaev’s success is hollow compared to his own performance against tougher opponents like Gilbert Burns. The exchange underscores the high-stakes dynamics of UFC fighters competing for recognition and legitimacy in their respective weight classes.
The feud between Strickland and Chimaev adds another layer of excitement to the already competitive middleweight division. Both fighters have impressive records, with Chimaev remaining undefeated as champion, while Strickland continues
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Originally published on MMA Fighting on 2/22/2026