UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev escalated his rivalry with former champion Sean Strickland during a heated press conference ahead of UFC 328 in Newark. The Chechen-born fighter made bold claims about a previous encounter with Strickland, suggesting the American was visibly intimidated.
Chimaev directly addressed Strickland during the media event, declaring he would change his opponent's life through their upcoming bout. The champion referenced past sparring sessions between the two, challenging Strickland's previous assertions that Chimaev hadn't landed significant strikes during their training exchanges.
The confrontation took a personal turn when Chimaev alleged meeting Strickland on the street, claiming the former champion displayed fear during their interaction. "I met him on the street. And he was scared of me," Chimaev stated, inviting Strickland to share his version of events with the public.
Chimaev also directed questions toward Strickland's coach, Eric, asking him to corroborate the story about their sparring sessions. The champion suggested video evidence exists that would support his claims about the training encounters, though he did not provide specific details about this footage.
The press conference remarks concluded with Chimaev issuing a geographical challenge, inviting Strickland and his team to visit Dagestan and Chechnya. "Every day I wait for you," Chimaev said, emphasizing his willingness to continue the confrontation beyond the scheduled UFC event.
This verbal exchange adds another layer to the developing rivalry between the two middleweight contenders as they prepare for their championship matchup at UFC 328. The event in Newark will feature this highly anticipated clash between the current champion and the former titleholder.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.