Sean Strickland Criticizes Khamzat Chimaev: “You Sold Your Soul to a Terrorist Dictator”
Sean Strickland, the outspoken former UFC middleweight champion, has once again stirred controversy, this time taking aim at Khamzat Chimaev. Known for his blunt and often inflammatory remarks, Strickland launched a scathing attack on Chimaev via social media, accusing him of aligning with a “terrorist dictator.” Without naming names, Strickland’s comments were likely aimed at Chimaev’s ties to Ramzan Kadyrov, the controversial Chechen leader.
In a recent post, Strickland declared, “You should not be allowed in this country. You [sold] your soul to a terrorist dictator. You are not compatible with America”.
This criticism comes amid growing frustration from Strickland over the UFC’s handling of Chimaev, especially given Chimaev’s continued struggles with obtaining a U.S. visa, forcing his fights to take place outside the country, particularly in the Middle East.
UFC’s Middleweight Division and Chimaev’s Challenges
Chimaev’s career has faced delays due to ongoing visa issues, which have prevented him from competing in the U.S. Despite this, UFC continues to book Chimaev for high-profile fights, often in countries like Abu Dhabi, where visa requirements are less stringent. This, however, has not sat well with Strickland, who believes that UFC, as an American company, should take a firmer stance on Chimaev’s alleged connections.
Strickland’s outburst is part of a larger narrative of dissatisfaction with the UFC’s decision-making, particularly when it comes to matchmaking. He argues that Chimaev has been unfairly elevated in the division, despite the complications surrounding his career, and that his ties to controversial figures should disqualify him from certain opportunities.
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Sean Strickland just went OFF on Khamzat Chimaev 😳
"You should not be allowed in this country. You [sold] your soul to a terrorist dictator. You are not compatible with America…
Sick of the UFC forgetting it's an American company."#UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/ny4in6ENRq
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 8, 2024
Strickland’s Path to Another Title Shot
While Strickland’s war of words with Chimaev continues to escalate, his main focus remains on securing another title shot in the middleweight division. After a hard-fought victory over Paulo Costa, Strickland has set his sights on a rematch with Dricus Du Plessis. However, UFC President Dana White has confirmed that Strickland will be next in line for a title shot. This development has complicated the middleweight landscape, as Chimaev prepares to face Robert Whittaker in a crucial bout at UFC 308.
A potential showdown between Strickland and Chimaev could be on the horizon, especially if both fighters continue to perform at the top of their division. For now, Strickland seems content to wait for his title opportunity, though his animosity towards Chimaev shows no signs of slowing down.
Sources: MMAnytt.se
