UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev dismissed Sean Strickland’s claim that he’s a ‘bully’ by posting sparring footage.
Just hours away from one of the biggest UFC fights of 2026, bad blood boils between UFC middleweight champ Khamzat Chimaev and former titleholder Sean Strickland. Chimaev and Strickland are being separated by a large security presence throughout UFC 328 fight week, especially after Strickland recently threatened to ‘shoot’ Chimaev and his team if they crossed paths.
It’s a full-circle change from Chimaev and Strickland’s past relationship as teammates at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. After previously praising each other’s grit and tenacity in the gym, Chimaev and Strickland’s feud has escalated in recent years.
Strickland’s longtime coach, Eric Nicksick, criticized the polarizing UFC middleweight for spreading ‘rumors’ about his past sparring sessions with Chimaev ahead of UFC 328. But just days before UFC 328, Chimaev provided clarity to the rumors by sharing footage of him and Strickland on social media.
WATCH: Khamzat Chimaev releases Sean Strickland spar just before UFC 328
In a recent post to X, Chimaev shared footage of him and Strickland sparring during their time as teammates at Xtreme Couture.
I am bullying weak people 😂 pic.twitter.com/dVVM3wTxpg
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) May 5, 2026
“I am bullying weak people [LAUGHS],” Chimaev captioned.
Chimaev is referencing Strickland’s recent claim that the UFC middleweight champ ‘bullied’ some of his teammates while training at Xtreme Couture. In a viral clip featured in the UFC 328: Countdown episode, Strickland scolded Chimaev for sparring hard with inexperienced fighters.
Despite two recent losses to then-UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, Strickland earned the first crack at Chimaev’s title reign after an upset win over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston earlier this year. Chimaev won the belt by dominantly defeating Du Plessis last year at UFC 319.
We’re not even at the halfway point of UFC 328 fight week, and Chimaev and Strickland are already trading hostile barbs in Newark. UFC CEO Dana White and the matchmakers could potentially keep Chimaev and Strickland separated at the UFC 328 pre-fight press conference and ceremonial weigh-in.
What is your prediction for Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland? Let us know in the comments!
