Sean Strickland is likely going to face something he has never faced before at UFC 328 this weekend.
On Saturday night, Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland will finally settle their year long feud when they clash in the UFC 328 main event.
The anticipation for their clash is palpable and the UFC has hired additional security to keep tabs on them throughout fight week after Strickland made a comment that he would ‘shoot’ Chimaev.
But despite the former champion’s confidence on the mic, he is not being heavily favored by the majority of the fanbase.
Strickland reacts to the stat that no one has ever attempted to submit him
The Chechen champion is regarded as one of the most dominant active fighters in the sport, having controlled all of his opponents up until this point.
Stylistically, the main event is an extremely intriguing matchup due to the fact that Strickland likely has the striking advantage, along with some above par wrestling defense.
And despite having been in the premier promotion for over 12 years, in none of Strickland’s 24 UFC fights has he ever been attempted to be submitted.
Reacting to that statistic at the UFC 328 media day this Wednesday evening, Strickland put that down to the fact that he has ‘only fought men’, discrediting Chimaev’s style.
“That may be because I’ve only fought men, I don’t know. I mean, dude, submissions are f—— g– dude, they’re f—— g–. I’m sad that I potentially have to deal with a guy who wants to dry hump my leg.
“I’m also never really in a position for guys to do submissions, I don’t wanna go on my back, I’m not into that s—,” he continued.
Dricus Du Plessis took Strickland down six times in their first matchup but was unable to get into a position where he could attempt a submission.
That is expected to change this Saturday, though, as Chimaev has attempted nine submissions in his nine UFC fights, securing four submission wins.