The Chechen-born undefeated UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev has never been in a boring fight. However, the biggest criticism the Eastern European MMA star has faced is with regard to his health. The middleweight is known for throwing caution to the wind and training even when he’s not healthy. His reckless behavior affected his ability to make fights. Lately, however, the former Swedish wrestling champion seems to be highly aware of his missteps and approach to fights. Displaying a calm demeanour during the UFC 308 fight week, the Chechen fighter opened up about his struggles with depression due to health complications. He also spoke about changing things up and adopting a healthier approach to his UFC 308 training camp.

While displaying a fair bit of self-awareness, Khamzat Chimaev still thinks he can beat light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. ‘Borz’ has called out ‘Poatan’ numerous times in the past, with the 205-lb champ welcoming him to fight as well. In a conversation with Michael Bisping, Chimaev said the following, “I’ve always been open for that [fight]. I know, stylistically, this match up for [is] much easier than other guys, you know?”.

While the former Swedish wrestling national champion is confident in his grappling abilities, he did tip his hat to Pereira as a striker – “But in striking, [I’ll be] honest, I know the guy can knock me out, you know – [he can knock out] everyone. The guy is a good striker, one of the best guys with one of the hardest punches. But I’m one of the best grapplers, best wrestlers – he’s not that.”

In the same interview with ‘The Count’, Khamzat Chimaev also spoke about his experiences training with Sean Strickland. ‘Tarzan’ and ‘Borz’ trained multiple times together. Strickland brought Chimaev into his camp while preparing for Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. Interestingly, Strickland also trained with Alex Pereira ahead of his fight against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307.

“He didn’t like when I said I tapped him out” – Khamzat Chimaev on Strickland’s annoyance with him

Alex Pereira made easy work of Sean Strickland, knocking him out in the first round at UFC 276. One could assume Khamzat Chimaev doing the same thing to him, but in grappling. While ‘Borz’ and ‘Tarzan’ haven’t yet faced each other, they have trained together numerous times. Most famously, Strickland asked Chimaev to tone down his intensity in training when they met two years ago.

From his side, Chimaev made claims that he submitted Strickland multiple times in training. Not taking kindly to the claims, Strickland took to social media to lambast the Chechen-born fighter. Here’s what ‘Borz’ told Bisping about the whole situation, “We sparred with him, I trained with that guy. I don’t know, we’ve been good whenever we’ve been in the gym. But when I [went] back to Sweden, he tweeted and did some things. He didn’t like when I said that I tapped him out.”

However, Khamzat Chimaev also acknowledged Sean Strickland‘s skills as a fighter. But regardless of Strickland’s skill, Chimaev still stuck to his guns with, “He’s good. He trains good. Like, he’s a good fighter. He’s a tough, tough dude, man. But, what I said? The things [I said about tapping him out]? Everyone [saw it] at the gym. Ask his coach.”

Who do you think Khamzat Chimaev will face first – Alex Pereira or Sean Strickland? Let us know in the comments below.