Sean Strickland says his heated rivalry with Khamzat Chimaev has shifted to respect after their razor-close split decision at UFC 328.
The buildup between the two was intense, including a moment at the pre-fight press conference where Chimaev kicked Strickland in the groin. Strickland went on to edge Chimaev on the scorecards, and Chimaev later placed the belt around Strickland’s waist as a show of respect. Strickland also apologized in the cage for going too far with his trash talk.
“I sell fights,” Strickland said while reflecting on the rivalry, later adding, “I go f--king so hard, everybody. And there’s always truth to what I say. But at the end of the day, man, all the hate’s out of me. I need a hate battery charge, so I need a couple days.”
Strickland described feeling threatened by Chimaev during past gym interactions, saying, “I don’t like to be threatened,” and, “when he was in the gym, he was really threatening. Like, he just had that threatening demeanor.” But he also admitted, “Maybe I could have manufactured the whole situation in my head, you guys, to be honest,” explaining there is “a chance that I just hallucinated that entire interaction.”
Despite the tensions, Strickland emphasized the bond forged in the cage: “After, you kinda become someone’s brother after you and him try to die, win or lose.” He also noted the business side of their feud: “Like Chimaev said, I made him the most money he’s ever made on a fight. You’re welcome, Chimaev.”
