UFC President Dana White has weighed in on the most intense rivalries the promotion has ever seen, and he believes the animosity between middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev and former champion Sean Strickland is among the very best.
Speaking on WFAN Sports Radio, White revealed his personal top-five list of fights where genuine hatred between the competitors was the driving narrative. He placed the upcoming clash between Chimaev and Strickland at the number two spot on that exclusive list.
The only rivalry White considers more intense is the legendary feud between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov. That matchup, which culminated at UFC 229 in 2018, remains the benchmark for pre-fight hostility and in-cage animosity in the organization's history.
White explained the reasoning behind his ranking. He noted that the McGregor-Nurmagomedov rivalry edges ahead primarily due to the infamous incident in Brooklyn and the massive, chaotic promotional buildup that preceded their fight. Those external events created a level of global attention and personal animosity that is difficult to surpass.
However, White is clearly excited about the potential of the Chimaev-Strickland matchup. He described it as a contest between two of the best fighters in the world who simply cannot stand each other. According to the UFC boss, this combination of elite skill and genuine personal conflict promises to deliver an incredible night of action for fans.
The comments highlight the UFC's strategy of leveraging real-life rivalries to build major pay-per-view events. The tension between Chimaev and Strickland has been building through social media exchanges and public callouts, creating a storyline that resonates with the audience.
By placing this feud so high on his all-time list, White is sending a clear message about the magnitude of the upcoming bout. It signals that the promotion views this as more than just a high-level sporting contest; it is a grudge match with deep personal stakes for both athletes involved.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.