Khamzat Chimaev Confirms Title Shot Against Sean Strickland and Reminds Former Training Partner and UFC Champ of a Grave End – “You Know How Fast I Can Finish You”

‘Borz‘ has his eyes locked on his next target and the two have already started the beef. Recently, on an edition of UFC Fight Pass, Sean Strickland appeared in all his charisma and confidence. While speaking to the hosts about UFC 294, Strickland considered the possibility of facing either Khamzat Chimaev or Kamaru Usman for his first title defense.

Both of them did not seem like great fights to ‘Tarzan’. While Usman was viewed as a fighter on the verge of falling off, Chimaev had just not “earned” his title shot, according to Strickland. However, Strickland might have to eat his words after a warning left online by the Chechen native. Here’s the story.

Khamzat Chimaev sends a warning signal to ‘Tarzan’

Khamzat Chimaev is known for being as straightforward as Sean Strickland himself. So, in a war of words, the fight between the two is of equal weight. The fighter was called out by Strickland, who told his Fight Pass hosts that Chimaev had done nothing to earn a middleweight title shot.

“He’s not earned it,” Strickland said. “He doesn’t fu*king deserve it. Getting a decision with a welterweight off the couch is not fu*king earning it.”

Clearly, his words did not fall on deaf ears with Khamzat Chimaev. ‘Borz’ responded with a one-of-a-kind warning of his own. He didn’t say a lot and didn’t boast a lot either. It was just a straight-up threat to Strickland’s crown. In a tweet, Chimaev wrote: “@SStricklandMMA you are next don’t worry you know haw fast I can finish you”

To bring some clarity into it. While Chimaev is a welterweight division fighter, he fought Kamaru Usman at middleweight. Now, both fighters can opt to fight at middleweight. And it looks like Chimaev might just have decided. So, will the two meet inside the cage soon? It could be so, especially after Dana White admitted he’d like to keep Chimaev busier.

Chimaev once had the chance to fight Strickland outside the cage

During the same podcast, Sean Strickland revealed how he and Chimaev almost fought outside the cage. He mentioned how he made a joke that didn’t quite sit right with the Chechen native. When ‘Borz’ aggressed, Strickland aggressed back. However, nothing ever really happened.

“. . . one day I made fun of Chechnya and he misunderstood what I said. It was more like a compliment to the fighter and he sent me a message talking sh*t and I said, ‘Chimaev, you misunderstood but I will see you tomorrow at three o’clock. Gloves or no gloves, turn up . . .”

Also Read: “Gloves or No Gloves” Sean Strickland Claims Khamzat Chimaev Backed Out From Fighting After Misunderstanding a Joke

After the message, Sean Strickland said that Chimaev backed out and wanted to talk it out instead. So nothing really came to be. Now, the two could meet inside the cage. Will Chimaev achieve a stellar victory over ‘Tarzan’ or will it drag out until one of them gets a decision win? Only time will tell.

Watch This Story: Islam Makhachev Honored With An Inspiring Gesture From Dana White