UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has made it clear that he doesn’t plan on throwing down with Sean Strickland before their title fight on Saturday.
In the main event of UFC 328 this weekend, Khamzat Chimaev will defend the UFC middleweight championship against former champ Sean Strickland. Over the course of the last few months, things have gotten pretty tense between the two men – and that’s putting it lightly.
Khamzat Chimaev’s hope with this fight is to prove that he can be a consistent, reliable champion at the elite level, whereas Strickland just wants to go in there and put a beating on the man who he seems to absolutely detest.
In a recent interview, Khamzat Chimaev made it known that despite the fears of many, things won’t get physical until the cage door actually closes in Newark.
Khamzat Chimaev’s view on pre-fight antics with Sean Strickland
“That loudmouth talks too much, but nothing is going to happen,” Chimaev said in a recent video uploaded to Adam Zubayraev’s YouTube channel. “How are you supposed to fight with hundred people around?
“We’ll show our emotions in the cage. I came here to make money. I moved past that unprofessional stage a long time ago.
“I hope he steps in the cage, we both perform well, recover well too. Hopefully we’ll put a great fight for you guys,” he added.
Quotes via Bloody Elbow
There’s no denying that there’s a lot of tension between these two men. When the dust settles, though, you would have to imagine that they will bury the hatchet in some form – as we have seen Sean do many times, even when he gives off the impression of absolutely despising the man stood across the cage from him.
Mixed martial arts tends to be about respect, but every now and then, you get a rivalry that feels a bit more real. Regardless of whether or not it’s been manufactured, the intriuge in this contest is clear for all to see. Hopefully, when the fight actually takes place, the action will live up to the hype.
