Darren Till is backing his close friend Khamzat Chimaev to defend the middleweight title at UFC 328, but he is not doing so without a candid warning about the risk of playing into Strickland’s hands.
Speaking with MMA Junkie, Till acknowledged the genuine difficulty of the matchup while ultimately siding with the champion, drawing on firsthand experience training with Strickland to frame the challenge Chimaev faces.
“I love Khamzat to death. He’s my f***ing boy, but I think he’s got a very tough fight with Sean. I’ve trained with Sean, and he’s got very great defense of getting back to the feet. But if you want me to say it as a whole, I think Khamzat’s on a roll, and I think Khamzat’s going to be way too strong and too powerful for him. But also, I would like Khamzat not to run in there and gas himself out because he is very seasoned and is able to go the five rounds. If I’m giving advice as a friend, that’s what I would say to him.”
Till laid out a straightforward prediction while emphasizing the importance of patience alongside power.
“How I see the fight, I see Khamzat dominating. But also go in there with a good, strategical plan. You know what I mean?”
UFC 328 takes place May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.