While it might be difficult to believe now, Sean
Strickland and Khamzat
Chimaev allegedly got along well with each other in
training.
Strickland (30-7) is scheduled to challenge Chimaev (15-0) for the
middleweight title at UFC 328
on May 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. There
seems to be some bad blood between the two, originating from their
training sessions in the past.
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However, Strickland’s coach, Eric Nicksick, claims they got along
really well when Chimaev visited the Xtreme Couture gym. According
to Nicksick, the dynamic between Strickland and Chimaev was mostly
competitive, with the two pushing each other to their limits.
Nicksick has no idea when the relationship turned sour.
‘They Pushed Each Other’
“Honestly, I thought they got along really well,” Nicksick said on
„The Ariel Helwani Show.” “I thought they
pushed each other really well. I felt like it was more of a
competitive environment than anything. Where it kind of took a
turn, I honestly couldn’t tell you… For me, it was like – take this
opportunity to learn as much as you can from Khamzat—some of his
routes, some of the things he does really well on the ground—and
just be a student when he’s in here and listen, learn, and observe
the way he trains.”
Strickland has taken multiple digs at Chimaev, accusing the
champion of stalling the division. Meanwhile, “Borz” claims
Strickland’s animosity towards him is a result of getting choked
out in sparring. However, Strickland claims he was only submitted
in situational sparring and otherwise made Chimaev quit the
gym.