As he prepares for UFC 312, old footage has resurfaced of Sean Strickland recollecting his ‘toughest’ sparring sessions with future top contenders in the gym.
‘Tarzan’ has cemented his spot as one of the elite talents in the UFC’s middleweight division, as he gets a second opportunity at UFC gold when he takes on Dricus Du Plessis in the main event of UFC 312.
Du Plessis’ win against Strickland at UFC 297 was contentious, and he has an opportunity to etch his name in the annals of UFC history with his revenge.
Strickland’s fighting style has been notoriously hard to deal with, but as he revealed before fighting Uriah Hall in 2021, another middleweight contender and a certain light heavyweight gave him a hard time in the gym.
READ MORE: Sean Strickland battered former NAVY Seal who challenged him to fight
Sean Strickland explained how Magomed Ankalaev and Khamzat Chimaev gave him a tough time in the gym
At the UFC Vegas 33 media day, Strickland explained how sparring fighters like Magomed Ankalaev and Khamzat Chimaev frustrated him the most in the gym. Both Ankalaev and Chimaev would become No. 1 contenders within three years.
“Ankalaev. . . . The guy’s a f—— savage,” Strickland remarked. “He’s a guy that truly frustrates me when I’m sparring him. I find myself getting angry, I can’t f—— hit you I can’t take you down. He’s probably my toughest ever rounds, Ankalaev.”
Recorded at 6’3″, Ankalaev takes on Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight belt at UFC 313. Strickland would do well to have competitive sparring with the No. 1 contender in the division above his. However, the second name Strickland mentioned is Chimaev, who could challenge the middleweight title next.
Strickland has previously told Chimaev he’s “better than everyone” in behind-the-scenes footage.
“[Khamzat is] good, man, he’s good. He’s very similar to me with work ethic,” Strickland explained. “[…] When he’s in the gym, he doesn’t stop; he doesn’t slow down. . . .. You’re like, ‘F— man, why aren’t you slowing down?’ but, you know, I’m sure he’s thinking the same thing about me.”
Sean Strickland vs. Khamzat Chimaev is closer than we think
In light of Strickland ripping into Chimaev during UFC 312 fight week, the flames couldn’t be burning brighter for a potential grudge match if Strickland steals the throne.
‘Borz’ appears to have found his footing after a rocky few years, plagued with illness and weight problems, but his appearance at UFC 308 was professional. Chimaev wowed by submitting Robert Whittaker inside a round.
If not Strickland, an equally intriguing matchup with Du Plessis is an option for Chimaev.