Khamzat Chimaev has released a new video from his storied sparring session with Sean Strickland – but fans are not impressed.
Middleweight champion Chimaev will defend his belt for the first time on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 328 at the Prudential Center in Newark. Their meeting has become one of the all-time most bitter grudge matches in the sport, with insults flying back-and-forth.
What adds to the intrigue around this fight is the fact that it isn’t their first time throwing hands in the cage. Years ago, Chimaev visited Xtreme Couture where he was given the chance to spar with Strickland, and the tales from the gym have become a major talking point.
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Khamzat Chimaev leaks Sean Strickland sparring video
Since they were first pictured together in 2022, fans have wondered just what happened when Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland sparred. There is even footage of the pair on the mats together, although no real video has existed until today.
There seems to be a consensus from a variety of sources that the striking exchanges were relatively even, if perhaps favoring Strickland. However, once they got to grappling there are multiple sources who have claimed that Chimaev locked in more than one submission.
This evening, Chimaev took to social media to release a brief clip showing a few seconds of the pair striking together. It’s not much to look at clocking in at just 26 seconds, but does show him appearing to land a few shots to Strickland’s head.
Chimaev captioned the video with a laughing emoji and the message: “I am bullying weak people.” This appears to be a shot at Strickland previously claiming that he only likes to spar with lower level or younger fighters when at the gym.
Fans unimpressed by Khamzat Chimaev’s leaked sparring video
Whatever it was Chimaev was looking to accomplish by releasing this clip seems to have gone the opposite way, with fans mocking him for the video. Over 600,000 people watched the original post alone, and many commenters believe that it was far from an impressive few seconds from Chimaev.
“You did absolutely nothing kid,” one social media user wrote. “You’re DEAD Saturday.” Another added: “You didn’t even land a shot sorry a– bum.” One also wrote: “Bro you hardly landed one punch.”
It is worth noting that fighters have in the past released videos from the gym that look less than impressive in an effort to lull their opponent’s into a false sense of security. In this case, however, Strickland will know fully well what happened when they met on the mats.