Sean Strickland has no plans to back down, even if the UFC would prefer to keep him and Khamzat Chimaev separated.
Speaking during fight week in Newark, Joe Rogan cautioned that Strickland and Chimaev meeting face-to-face could get out of hand given the pre-fight build up.
Dana White later confirmed that the planned Paramount face off was scrapped, with both fighters placed in separate hotels to limit any chance of an early encounter.
But keeping the two apart may not be as simple as that. Strickland doesn’t seem interested in playing along with those arrangements.
UFC security protocols won’t stop Sean Strickland ahead of Khamzat Chimaev showdown
While some, like Jon Anik, are looking forward to the tension between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev before UFC 302, the buildup has already crossed a few lines. Strickland’s comments recently took on a different tone when he warned Chimaev’s team about getting involved before their middleweight title fight.
The American also weighed in on the UFC’s attempts to keep them apart, explaining why he doesn’t believe it will be effective. “The UFC is trying to limit my interactions with the dog,” Strickland wrote on X. “Listen, I will say this now. I will not be controlled by a third-world dog… If I find there is unequal treatment between our camps I will walk to the lobby and wait for him. Control your w—- or don’t. I don’t care. Let the chips fall where they may this is America…”
Replying to a fan who mentioned how heated things already were, Strickland added: “Fight week will be in handcuffs.”
Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t seem too bothered by any of it so far either.
In fact, he’s even admitted that he enjoys Strickland’s behaviour because it means more attention on their fight without him needing to say much himself.
Still, ‘Borz’ did caution that if his opponent follows through on his threats involving weapons, things could escalate quickly given the backing he’ll have in Newark.
This isn’t just another pre-fight hype job — the atmosphere around this event feels unlike anything we’ve seen before.
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