The fractured friendship between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland stands as a stark reminder of how quickly alliances can dissolve in the pressure cooker of elite MMA. Their relationship began in the humble confines of the training room, where mutual respect was forged through shared rounds of sparring and technical exchanges. But no more. Just this week, for instance, the former 185lbs champ blasted ‘Borz’ native for his alleged ties with the Chechnyan dictator, Ramzan Kadyrov.

But then again, Chimaev hasn’t exactly been complimentary of Strickland either, having taken shots at ‘Tarzan’s infamous toxic relationship with his father. And while the fans may find it all very entertaining, Strickland’s coach, Eric Nicksick is dismayed even if he understands the value of their budding rivalry.

“I mean in a lot of ways, it’s like I get it. Because if that’s the fight [with Chimaev that] they’re going to make if Sean wins, then you’re trying to build this, like, next rivalry… I don’t know man, like, these guys got along just fine in the gym, right? So I know Khamzat, you know, threw some strays at Sean a while back, and then it’s kind of been going back and forth,” Nicksick told ‘Submission Radio’ in a recent interview.

Strickland, of course, is set to face Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312 this Saturday. And since Dana White has strongly indicated that Chimaev is next for a title shot, it does make sense for Strickland to have some beef with the undefeated Emirati fighter. But the Xtreme Couture head honcho is still not happy with where Strickland and Chimaev’s relationship is today.

“And it’s one of those things man, I love Khamzat, I got nothing but love and respect for him. It is what it is. I hate to see that kind of back and forth because they did spend so much time on the mats together. But, you know, you’re kind of building this rivalry if you will and if they end up fighting, there’s bad blood there, then it’s only going to make for more views,” he added. But first, Strickland needs to get through Du Plessis, which seems like an uphill task.

Why will the UFC 312 rematch with Dricus Du Plessis be tricky for Sean Strickland?

When Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis met in the Octagon at  UFC 297, their fight was razor close. Although the South African managed to eke through a split decision, many, including UFC CEO Dana White felt Strickland had won. Not to mention ‘Tarzan’ gave ‘DDP’ the hardest fight of his UFC stint so far.

But this time around, things will be different. Strickland has described the South African’s fighting style as akin to a “re**rd on a short bus”. This is to say that the champ fights in an unorthodox and unpredictable style, which is so bad that it is good. This is why Du Plessis often looks like he is in long fights until all of a sudden he finishes his opponent seemingly out of nowhere as Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker found out.

To be fair, Strickland’s Philly Shell fighting style is also pretty unorthodox. But on the scale of unpredictability, Du Plessis wipes the floor with Strickland. This is why this rematch is so tricky for ‘Tarzan’. While ‘Stillknocks’ may have worked out the American’s style, having spent five rounds in the Octagon with him last year.

But the same cannot be said for Strickland. What do you think about coach Eric Nicksick’s thoughts on the relationship between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev?