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Tag: Sean Strickland

  • Sean Strickland Calls Khamzat Chimaev ‘Little Rat’ for Releasing Sparring Footage

    Sean Strickland Calls Khamzat Chimaev ‘Little Rat’ for Releasing Sparring Footage

    Sean Strickland had plenty to say about Khamzat Chimaev’s decision to post a 25-second sparring clip on social media, and none of it was particularly flattering toward the man he will face for the middleweight title on Saturday.

    The clip, which showed the two exchanging jabs in what Strickland described as warmup rounds, was captioned by Chimaev with “I am bullying weak people.” Strickland addressed it directly at UFC 328 media day and made clear the context behind the footage matters significantly.

    “That’s what I’m talking about. The guy’s just a little f***ing rat. One, I didn’t know we were filming. Those are our warmup rounds. You’re just a weak man. You’re just a weak, weak man. It’s like what is the point? We’re light sparring. I mean those shorts are a little questionable on my part. They were Amazon. It was a bad angle.”

    Beyond the clip itself, Strickland pushed back on any suggestion the footage reflects what actually happened between them in the gym. He claimed the two only shared one genuine sparring session and that he repeatedly tried to get more time with Chimaev afterward, only to be turned down.

    “We’ve only sparred once and we did like a three-round spar. We sparred once. I kept telling you this. When I got to a gym, I want to spar the best guy. I want to spar him but he would always just go beat up the lower level guys.”

    Despite the grievances, Strickland acknowledged the fight makes sense given the current state of the middleweight division and described it as a welcome matchup for both parties.

    “I think it’s also a good fight, it’s a fun fight. There’s so many people in the division where it’s like what are the top five? Brendan Allen? He’s his f***ing punching bag. His meat. What else in the top five in the division do you have right now? It’s kind of nice just to get a fresh look, new blood. I think the fight just kind of made sense.”

    UFC 328 takes place Saturday, May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • UFC 328 Odds, Picks & Best Bets: Predictions for Every Fight on the Card

    UFC 328 Odds, Picks & Best Bets: Predictions for Every Fight on the Card

    UFC 328 is this week, and we’re that much closer to two title fights, including a heated championship main event. Get the latest betting odds and best bets from MMANews!

    In the main event of UFC 328, the UFC middleweight championship will be on the line as Khamzat Chimaev defends against former champion Sean Strickland.

    Despite some inactivity due to illness during his tenure, Chimaev has been seemingly unstoppable since his memorable 2020 arrival to the Octagon. This is Chimaev’s first defense since winning the championship by defeating Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 last August.

    Strickland is 2-2 in his last four but has won five of his last seven, including his finish of Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez at UFC Houston in February. Strickland scored a major upset when he defeated Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title at UFC 293. Strickland, however, dropped the championship to Du Plessis at UFC 297 and lost a rematch at UFC 312.

    The co-main event will see Joshua Van defend the UFC flyweight championship against Tatsuro Taira. This was the planned co-main event for UFC 327 last month, but the bout was delayed to this event after a minor injury to Van.

    Van enters this fight on a six-fight win streak, having an incredible stretch since the middle of 2024. Last year, in fact, saw Van defeat Rei Tsuruya in March, finish Bruno Silva at UFC 316, and take a short-notice bout with Brandon Royval at UFC 317, winning in that card’s Fight of the Night. Van won the title at UFC 323 after Alexandre Pantoja suffered an arm injury 26 seconds into the fight.

    Taira comes into this fight with an 18-1 record. He has rebounded since suffering his first loss by Park Hyun-sung in August and stopping former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323.

    Other UFC 328 main card bouts include Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley, and King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens.

    UFC 328 Betting Odds

    Here are the latest betting odds for UFC 328, as of 12 am ET on May 6, courtesy of DraftKings:

    Early Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    • Flyweight: Clayton Carpenter (+145) vs. Jose Ochoa (-175)
    • Middleweight: Baisangur Susurkaev (-675) vs. Djorden Santos (+490)
    • Featherweight: Pat Sabatini (-218) vs. William Gomis (+180)
    • Middleweight: Roman Kopylov (+154) vs. Marco Tulio (-185)

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 7 PM ET)

    • Lightweight: Jim Miller (+250) vs. Jared Gordon (-310)
    • Lightweight: Grant Dawson (-176) vs. Mateusz Rebecki (+140)
    • Welterweight: Joel Alvarez (+160) vs. Yaroslav Amosov (-192)
    • Middleweight: Ateba Gautier (-1350) vs. Ozzy Diaz (+800)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 9 PM ET)

    • Lightweight: King Green (-360) vs. Jeremy Stephens (+285)
    • Welterweight: Sean Brady (-175) vs. Joaquin Buckley (+145)
    • Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov (-166) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (+140)
    • Flyweight Championship: Joshua Van (+140) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-166)
    • Middleweight Championship: Khamzat Chimaev (-575) vs. Sean Strickland (+425)

    UFC 328 Predictions & Best Bets

    Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland: There is a lot of anticipation around this fight, given the heat between the two. Chimaev is trying to get his first successful defense, and Strickland is looking to pull off another upset to become a two-time champ. Strickland may have a 76 percent takedown defense, per UFC Stats, but the numbers in Chimaev’s grappling statistics are beyond those of the normal UFC fighter. And while Strickland has his own grappling abilities, the wrestling style of Chimaev is a whole other level. For all the hype this fight has on it, it’s probably going to be another one-sided bout in Chimaev’s favor; so far, no one has shown they can be a true, credible threat, to be honest. (Prediction: Chimaev) (Best Bet: Chimaev via decision [+300])

    Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira: Van is the champion and has an amazing 2025; however, he’s the underdog given the circumstances of how he defeated Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title at UFC 323. Regardless, he won the fight and has shown skills in the Octagon that state he is one of the best flyweights in the world. Yet, people have been hoping for a Taira title shot for some time, and he got that by finishing Brandon Moreno (not an easy feat) at UFC 323. This is probably a striking vs. grappling matchup, and while Van isn’t popular in fans’ books, I’m leaning to his 81 percent takedown defense being the key difference. He may not stop all of Taira’s attempts, but it’ll be enough to control the fight through most of its duration. The real question is if the winner of this fight will have a chance against a returning, healthy Pantoja… (Prediction: Van) (Best Bet: Van ML [+140])

    Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta: A major heavyweight contender’s battle here. It’s unfortunate for Volkov that he didn’t get a title shot after his title eliminator win over Jailton Almeida, but that’s par for the course with the state of the UFC’s heavyweight division. And now he has to deal with Waldo Cortes-Acosta, one of the only other positive names in the heavyweight division, coming off a 2025 where he went 5-1 and was one of the top fighters of the year. This is one of the fights on this card that can be a coin flip, but the edge will go to Volkov based on his technical striking. That said, don’t be surprised if WCA lands one of his major power shots that turns the fight’s tide in his favor. (Prediction: Volkov) (Best Bet: Volkov via decision [+140])

    Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley: Major top-10 welterweight matchup here, with the winner finding themselves a fight or two away from earning a shot at the gold. Brady may have had a loss to Michael Morales, but Morales is one fight away from a title shot himself — and Brady had previously rebounded from his first loss with three straight wins and two post-fight bonuses. Buckley comes in off his loss to Kamaru Usman, but he had won six consecutive fights before that. This fight comes down to who can control the action first and best. If it’s Brady, he uses his wrestling for the win. If it’s Buckley, it’s a third loss via KO/TKO for Brady. (Prediction: Brady) (Best Bet: Brady via decision [+150])

    King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens: Jeremy Stephens has made a name for himself post-UFC with his work in BKFC. Even then, he and Mason Jones provided a fun bout last year. But Stephens’ record in his last 10 fights is 1-8 (1 NC)! Green, meanwhile, continues to find ways to win at his age and in the state of his career. While this will be a fun battle, I don’t see a way Stephens gets his hand raised. (Prediction: Green) (Best Bet: Green via decision [+110])

    Ateba Gautier vs. Ozzy Diaz: Ateba Gautier’s power has been his calling card, but his last fight showed him facing some adversity. He was able to rock Andrey Pulyaev, but Pulayev gave him some struggle as the fight went the full 15 minutes. While Diaz can be seen as another test, his only UFC performances have seen him get stopped in one round by Zhang Mingyang and earn a decision over Djorden Santos. It’s pretty doubtful Gautier goes two fights in a row without a finish. But given the odds, honestly, stay away from betting this fight. (Prediction: Gautier) (Best Bet: Gautier via KO/TKO/DQ in Round 2 [+450])

    Joel Alvarez vs. Yaroslav Amosov: Yaroslav Amosov had a decent UFC debut at the end of 2025, fending off early pressure from Neil Magny to score a first-round submission. Now the former Bellator champ gets a tougher test in Joel Alvarez, who has won four straight and eight of his last nine fights (though he has just made his welterweight debut in his last bout). This bout probably spends a lot of time on the floor and comes down to who the better wrestler is — and the lean here will be to Amosov. (Prediction: Amosov) (Best Bet: Fight goes the distance [-105])

    Grant Dawson vs. Mateusz Rebecki: From teammates to opponents — Dawson and Rebecki go at it in a Fight of the Night sleeper nominee. Both men don’t have many losses in competition, but Dawson has been stopped twice in his last five fights, and Rebecki has three losses in his last four. Rebecki has power in his fists, but Dawson has the wrestling to counter that — and go toe-to-toe with Rebecki and his jiu-jitsu. This one’s probably going the distance, and the slight edge should go to Dawson, as the odds suggest. (Prediction: Dawson) (Best Bet: Fight goes the distance [-135])

    Jim Miller vs. Jared Gordon: Jim Miller is an absolute legend who can still pull off big finishes, and people would love to see in a firefight. Jared Gordon has the potential to be that kind of fun opponent — but potential has been a word that has kind of plagued Gordon’s career. Gordon has been the victim of bad luck, bad strategy, and getting finished (namely KO/TKOs) in his career. The 37-year-old hasn’t found consistent success in the Octagon since the pandemic era. Many may expect Gordon to have the edge in this one, but don’t be surprised if Miller pressures his way to a win here. This fight might be in the “too close to call” category. (Prediction: Miller) (Best Bet: Fight goes the distance [-160])

    Roman Kopylov vs. Marco Tulio: A Combat Sambo specialist, Roman Kopylov has had his share of highlights in the Octagon, as seen with his last-second knockout of Chris Curtis and his finish of Josh Fremd. Losses to the likes of Paulo Costa and Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues aren’t bad losses. The 35-year-old Kopylov, however, needs to show he can hang with the better middleweight contenders. Tulio scored a finish of Matthieu Duclos on DWCS, then finished Ihor Potieria and Tresean Gore before running into Christian Leroy Duncan. Perhaps a case of too much, too soon for Tulio? (Prediction: Kopylov) (Best Bet: Kopylov ML {+154])

    Pat Sabatini vs. William Gomis: Pat Sabatini has great wrestling and grappling abilities, and that should give him an edge against William Gomis. It helps that Sabatini has been on a roll between his UFC and grappling competitions, with his last two losses coming in 2022 and 2023 against, respectively, Damon Jackson and Diego Lopes. Sabatini has faced stronger competition, is more experienced, and will have the New Jersey crowd behind him (shout-out to Rider University). The only thing in Gomis’s favor here is that he tends to go the distance; his only submission loss was early in his career, in 2016. (Prediction: Sabatini) (Best Bet: Sabatini via decision [+175])

    Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Djorden Santos: This isn’t to say that Baisangur Susurkaev isn’t deserving of being the favorite here. The problem is, the odds reflect this idea of him being the “Next Big Thing” when he didn’t show the greatest offense (albeit still getting finishes) against Eric Nolan and Eric McConico. Djorden Santos has as much experience, but the fight probably plays out the same — Susurkaev either goes too grapple-heavy to the crowd’s dismay or gets himself in trouble, only for him to find the finish later in the fight. The hope here is to see if Susurkaev can show he’s making progress. (Prediction: Susurkaev) (Best Bet: Susurkaev via KO/TKO/DQ in Round 2 [+450])

    Clayton Carpenter vs. Jose Ochoa: Both men need a win here. Carpenter looked good in his first two outings but went 0-2 in 2025, dropping a decision to Tagir Ulanbekov and getting submitted by Jafel Filho. Ochoa is 1-2, but he’s younger, and he’s faced three talented names in Lone’er Kavanagh, Cody Durden, and Asu Almabayev (with the Almabayev fight coming on short notice). No particular strong edge in this fight, but Ochoa is the more (fairly) well-rounded fighter. (Prediction: Ochoa) (Best Bet: Ochoa via decision [+150])

  • Sean Strickland Unloads on Brendan Allen After he Reveals Camp’s Reaction to Pre-Fight Trash Talk

    Sean Strickland Unloads on Brendan Allen After he Reveals Camp’s Reaction to Pre-Fight Trash Talk

    Brendan Allen spent three weeks in Khamzat Chimaev’s training camp ahead of UFC 328 and offered a window into how the champion’s team is processing Sean Strickland’s ongoing campaign of verbal aggression. Strickland responded to what Allen said with a fury of his own.

    Speaking on Submission Radio, Allen described the general atmosphere in Chimaev’s camp as Strickland’s latest comments filtered in.

    “We just laugh. He just sounds so rtarded. All he wants to do is get an emotional reaction out of people and it’s just like, alright bro, y’all are going to fight on Saturday, see if you’re talking all that sht then because you wasn’t talking that sh*t when y’all trained.”

    Allen also revealed what the coaches told everyone around Chimaev about handling fight week.

    “I think it was more of trying to get through to the team, like it’s all talk. If you care about Khamzat, stay in your lane, don’t mess up this opportunity for Khamzat to go out there and handle it. Let Khamzat handle it. He signed the contract, Sean signed the contract, they’re going to fight, let him talk, let him do whatever he wants to do, let his antics do what it’s going to do, just walk away. Just laugh, walk away. If someone puts their hands on you that’s a different situation, but if it’s just talk, just let him talk. At the end of the day, Khamzat has 25 minutes to be in there with him and he’s going to do his best to make him feel it.”

    He also questioned whether Strickland would actually back up his more extreme statements. “Talk is talk. Sean’s that kind of guy. I’d kill him in a press conference, though. I’d make him freak out for sure.”

    Strickland was asked about Allen’s comments at a media scrum and delivered a pointed response that took aim at Allen’s ranking and his decision to train with the champion.

    “Brendan Allen, you are the definition of a cnt. You are ranked 5. My boy Edmen’s about to beat you. You are ranked No. 5, you were talking about a title fight and you go and you train with the current champion and the whole world just watched him fck you up over and over and over again. All we know of your training camp is you’re getting your ass kicked by fcking Chimaev. You will never fight for a belt. If you want to get some advice from me, stop training with the champion and if you’re going to train with him, don’t let him beat the fck out of you for f*cking weeks at a time.”

    Allen and Strickland previously fought at a UFC APEX event in November 2020, with Strickland winning by second-round knockout. Allen now faces Edmen Shahbazyan at UFC Vegas 118 on June 6. UFC 328 takes place Saturday, May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • Sean Strickland Rips Into Josh Hokit’s Gimmick, Compares It To WWE – “Jake Paul When He Was 13”

    Sean Strickland Rips Into Josh Hokit’s Gimmick, Compares It To WWE – “Jake Paul When He Was 13”

    Sean Strickland isn’t holding back when it comes to the rising profile of Josh Hokit, questioning the authenticity behind the heavyweight contender’s increasingly loud persona.

    During a recent media scrum ahead of his title fight against reigning middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 this Saturday, Strickland was asked about Hokit’s rise and the attention he’s been generating outside the cage.

    While the former 185-pound titleholder didn’t deny “The Incredible Hok’s” abilities, he made it clear he’s not impressed by the way the heavyweight has been presenting himself.

    “Josh Hokit, you’re a grown-a** man,” Strickland said.

    “You’re like almost 30 years old, and you’re acting like a fu*k Jake Paul when he was 13. Stop, bro. You made it, people know who you are, just stop. You don’t have to interview homeless people and be fu*k weird, just fight now!

    “The thing I don’t like about Josh, and again I’ve met Josh and trained with him, he’s a very likable guy. He’s a really nice guy, and I consider him a friend of mine, but at some point, it’s such a fabricated image, and it reminds you of a WWE skit.”

    Hokit’s Fast Rise Paired With Polarizing Image

    Hokit’s transition from professional football to MMA has been rapid, and his performances have quickly pushed him into the heavyweight spotlight. His recent win over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 elevated him into the division’s top tier and reinforced his potential as a serious contender.

    At the same time, “The Incredible Hok” has leaned heavily into a chaotic, attention-grabbing persona. His pre-fight antics and bold, often bizarre statements have made him one of the more polarizing figures in the UFC. Some fans see it as entertainment and marketability, while others believe it overshadows his actual skill set.

    Despite the criticism, Hokit’s momentum continues to build. He is scheduled to face Derrick Lewis at the White House event on June 14, a high-profile opportunity that could push him even closer to title contention.

  • Former Champ Claims Controversial Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov Could Be In Khamzat Chimaev’s Corner At UFC 328

    Former Champ Claims Controversial Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov Could Be In Khamzat Chimaev’s Corner At UFC 328

    Luke Rockhold has added a controversial layer to fight week ahead of UFC 328, claiming he’s heard talk that Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov could be present in Khamzat Chimaev’s corner.

    “Borz” is set to defend his middleweight title for the first time against Sean Strickland in the main event this weekend at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. But beyond the matchup itself, outside narratives are already shaping the event’s tone.

    Speaking during a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Rockhold claimed:

    “It sounds like we might have Kadyrov in his corner, so I think he’s pretty safe within his mindset. We’ll see how it goes. This fight week is gonna be interesting,”

    The former UFC middleweight champion also referenced recent comments from Strickland, adding another unpredictable element to the buildup.

    “Sean was saying he’s gonna bring a gun. I’m not sure if you can bring a gun out there in New Jersey, but they better check it. Sean is not a real threat in the world of what he’s dealt with and who he deals with.”

    Chimaev’s Long-Standing Ties To Kadyrov

    Chimaev’s connection to Kadyrov has been well-documented throughout his career. Following his title-winning performance against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025, the “Borz” traveled to Chechnya, where he was welcomed by Kadyrov and celebrated in front of a large crowd.

    During the visit, Chimaev was seen handing over his championship belt as they posed for photos together.

    The relationship between the two dates back several years. The controversial leader attended Chimaev’s wedding in 2022, and the pair have frequently been seen training together. However, those ties have also drawn scrutiny, with Kadyrov facing international criticism and sanctions over alleged human rights abuses.

    At one point, Chimaev’s association with Kadyrov reportedly complicated his ability to travel to the United States. Those issues have since been resolved, allowing him to compete freely under the UFC banner.

  • Former UFC Title Challenger Sounds Alarm Over Khamzat Chimaev’s Potential Move To Light Heavyweight

    Former UFC Title Challenger Sounds Alarm Over Khamzat Chimaev’s Potential Move To Light Heavyweight

    Khalil Rountree Jr. has spent the past few months training alongside Khamzat Chimaev, and the experience has left him with a clear takeaway. If “Borz” ever makes the move to light heavyweight, the rest of the division could be in serious trouble.

    Chimaev is currently preparing to defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 328, marking his first defense since capturing the belt in 2025.

    But even before stepping into that fight, the unbeaten champion has openly discussed ambitions of moving up again in pursuit of a second title.

    Khalil Rountree Jr. Sees Major Problems If Khamzat Chimaev Moves Up

    During a recent media scrum, Khalil Rountree Jr. opened up about his time training with Khamzat Chimaev and what it revealed about a potential move to 205 pounds.

    “It’s definitely exhausting,” Rountree said. “It’s exhausting, it’s difficult, it’s humbling. It’s inspiring in a way, too, because his effort and his will, his skill is unmatched. So, when you go up against that, there’s a lot of things that can be said. There’s just a lot of things that can be learned when you truly find yourself going against the best in the world.”

    The former title challenger, who currently sits among the top contenders at light heavyweight, did not hold back when asked about the idea of “Borz” entering the division.

    “I just told you, training with this guy, he’s the best in the world. It’s difficult. It’s difficult in all areas, in standup, in grappling. No one gets an easy round with Khamzat. It doesn’t matter what weight class, what size.

    “That was my initial thought, like, ‘Damn, if he made the move up, we’re all kind of screwed.’ That’s kind of how I look at it.”

  • Sean Strickland Blames UFC for Not Controlling Khamzat Chimaev

    Sean Strickland Blames UFC for Not Controlling Khamzat Chimaev

    Sean Strickland has placed the responsibility for any potential pre-fight confrontation with Khamzat Chimaev squarely on the UFC, warning the promotion that he will not comply with restrictions if he feels they are being applied unevenly between the two camps.

    With UFC 328 on May 9 approaching, the animosity between Strickland and Chimaev has reached a point where Dana White has confirmed that extra security will be in place during media week. Strickland addressed the situation directly on X, making clear he has a specific threshold for what he will accept.

    “The UFC is trying to limit my interactions with the dog. Listen I will say this now. I will not be controlled by a third world dog. If I find there is unequal treatment between our camps I will walk to the lobby and wait for him. Control your whore or don’t. I don’t care. Let the chips fall where they may, this is America.”

    Chimaev’s coach has publicly dismissed Strickland’s gun warning as nonsense, stating he does not believe things will escalate to actual violence, and Chimaev himself has reportedly laughed off the threats. Strickland has previously stated he would draw a weapon if approached by Chimaev and his team in a group setting.

    The situation has drawn comparisons to the post-fight brawl between Khabib Nurmagomedov’s and Conor McGregor’s teams at UFC 229 in 2018, an event the promotion is clearly attempting to prevent from repeating itself.

    UFC 328 takes place May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • Aljamain Sterling Warns Chimaev Could Be in Trouble If This Happens in UFC 328 Fight

    Aljamain Sterling Warns Chimaev Could Be in Trouble If This Happens in UFC 328 Fight

    Aljamain Sterling is not ready to hand Khamzat Chimaev an easy night against Sean Strickland, and he believes the champion is walking into UFC 328 with a strategic dilemma.

    Speaking with Home of Fight, the former UFC bantamweight champion took a different view on a fight most analysts have leaning heavily toward Chimaev, arguing the mental calculation Chimaev has to make in the early rounds could define the entire outcome.

    “If Strickland can weather the early storm, that fight gets interesting really, really quick. I think Khamzat’s conflicted right now. He’s trying to decide whether or not he wants to run through him because he knows possibly, if he doesn’t, he’s going to be tired going into those later rounds, and you don’t want to be tired with a guy like Strickland in front of you. He’s a nightmare, and that’s what makes this fight very, very interesting. Khamzat has the ability to finish this fight in Round 1, or Strickland has the ability to finish Khamzat in the later rounds. Possibly goes to a decision.”

    Sterling acknowledged Chimaev’s status as the favorite while making clear he does not see the result as inevitable.

    “Khamzat’s the favorite coming into this, and everyone knows why. Sean knows what he’s up against going into this fight. He’s got a tall task, not going to be easy for him, but is it possible for him to win this fight? 100 percent. I don’t think it’s an absolute ‘lock’ for Khamzat whatsoever.”

    UFC 328 takes place May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • Darren Till Says Chimaev Will Dominate Strickland But Issues a Key Warning Before UFC 328

    Darren Till Says Chimaev Will Dominate Strickland But Issues a Key Warning Before UFC 328

    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.

  • Sean Strickland Issues Violent Warning to Khamzat Chimaev Ahead of Title Fight

    Sean Strickland Issues Violent Warning to Khamzat Chimaev Ahead of Title Fight

    Sean Strickland has dramatically escalated the tension with Khamzat Chimaev ahead of their UFC 328 middleweight title fight, issuing a detailed threat about what would happen if the two crossed paths before fight night in Newark.

    Speaking at a media scrum on Wednesday, Strickland was asked about the possibility of a pre-fight confrontation given that Chimaev had previously declared “if he dies, he dies” about a potential street encounter. Strickland’s response left nothing to the imagination.

    “All I’m going to do, I’m going to pull my gun out and I’m going to shoot him. But if you come up to me with three fing goatfer Chechnyans that don’t speak English, I’m going to pull my gun and I’m going to shoot each and every one of you. I’ll be strapped in New Jersey, too, don’t even worry about that.”

    He drew a distinction between a group approach and a one-on-one confrontation, saying he would handle a solo encounter differently. The group scenario, however, he described as an automatic escalation.

    Strickland also repeatedly targeted Chimaev’s association with Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen Republic, who has been sanctioned by multiple nations, including the United States, and has appeared at UFC events outside America.

    When asked about bypassing Nassourdine Imavov in the title race, Strickland pivoted into a broader attack on international fighters who he feels are not embraced by fans regardless of their ability.

    “The UFC does this. They go find these shy fing people in these third-world fing countries and, like, do you really give a fk about a French guy that doesn’t even claim f**ing France?”

    He contrasted that with Alex Pereira, whom he said has been accepted because he represents something aspirational to American audiences.

    Unlike previous feuds with Dricus du Plessis and Anthony Hernandez that cooled after the final bell, Strickland does not expect the same with Chimaev.

    “I think me and f*ing Khamzat, we die enemies. Whoever wins is going to have bragging rights while the loser is just going to have to eat sh until they die.”

    UFC 328 takes place May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • Luke Rockhold Calls Sean Strickland ‘A Piece of S**t’ While Predicting UFC 328 Title Fight

    Luke Rockhold Calls Sean Strickland ‘A Piece of S**t’ While Predicting UFC 328 Title Fight

    Luke Rockhold is backing Khamzat Chimaev to dominate Sean Strickland at UFC 328, and his reasoning goes well beyond fight analysis.

    The former UFC middleweight champion recently trained with Chimaev and spoke to Adam Zubayraev about the May 9 title fight in Newark, New Jersey, offering his take on both competitors, making his allegiances clear.

    “Sean is effective and he’s scrappy and he hangs in there,” Rockhold said. “Khamzat is so much more talented, it’s about who can relax and implement their game plan the best and Khamzat’s doing everything he needs to and I think he can really have a masterclass.”

    Rockhold then went further, framing the fight not just as a matchup between two fighters but as a contest between two people of very different character in his view.

    “I would love to see him put this f***ing American away,” Rockhold said. “I’m American, but I like good people. Khamzat is a great person, through and through. Sean Strickland, he’s a piece of s**t.”

    Strickland’s popularity has surged on the back of his upset knockout of Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 and his unfiltered public persona, though that same persona has also drawn significant criticism. His social media activity has included offensive posts targeting various groups, including a photoshopped image of himself as an ICE agent ahead of his February win over Anthony Hernandez.

    Rockhold also addressed Chimaev’s mental state heading into the defense compared to his previous run toward the title.

    “I think last time out there was a little bit of tension, he wanted to win the world title,” Rockhold said. “Now he can go out there and be his best and I expect the best from Khamzat.”

    The pre-fight tension between the two fighters has escalated publicly, with Chimaev suggesting a street encounter with Strickland could be dangerous and Strickland responding that Chimaev was the last person in America who should be making threats. Rockhold dismissed the idea that any of that would get inside Chimaev’s head.

    “Piss him off? I doubt that, no. Sean doesn’t roll as deep as my man here, so I think we’re in good hands and a fight’s a fight. You’ve got to play the game.”

  • Sean Strickland Labeled One of MMA’s Biggest Overachievers Ahead of UFC 328 Title Fight

    Sean Strickland Labeled One of MMA’s Biggest Overachievers Ahead of UFC 328 Title Fight

    Michael Bisping has called Sean Strickland one of MMA’s biggest overachievers, and he wants to make clear that is meant as a genuine compliment.

    Speaking with Demetrious Johnson on the JAXXON PODCAST ahead of Strickland’s UFC 328 middleweight title challenge against Khamzat Chimaev, Bisping reflected on a career that has consistently exceeded what most people would’ve expected.

    “Sean Strickland, that’s a complicated one,” Bisping said. “Overachiever. I didn’t think he’d be in this position that he is in now. He became champion of the world. I didn’t think he would beat Israel Adesanya. I thought he would be a problematic matchup for Adesanya, but beating him the way that he did and then now being in a position to fight Khamzat Chimaev — I think he’s an overachiever in a lot of ways.”

    Bisping was careful to frame the assessment in the most positive terms possible.

    “He’s not the biggest athlete, not the fastest, the strongest, all the rest of it. But he’s got a rock solid mind, he’s got a crazy gas tank, works his ass off. That’s a compliment. It’s not an insult. He’s one of the biggest overachievers.”

    Bisping has his own experience completing an unlikely championship run, having knocked out Luke Rockhold on short notice in 2016 to win the middleweight title. Strickland pulled off a similar upset against Adesanya in 2023 before losing the belt to Dricus du Plessis in their first meeting.

    Strickland faces Chimaev in the main event of UFC 328 on May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • Colby Covington Predicts Brutal Loss for Sean Strickland

    Colby Covington Predicts Brutal Loss for Sean Strickland

    Colby Covington recently delivered a harsh assessment of Sean Strickland’s chances against Khamzat Chimaev, predicting the former middleweight champion would have no path to victory in a potential matchup. The prediction highlights a perceived stylistic mismatch between the two fighters.

    Covington’s outlook for Strickland is decidedly negative. During an interview on Submission Radio, the former interim welterweight champion suggested a significant skill gap exists between Strickland and Chimaev.

    Stylistic Concerns for Strickland

    Covington’s prediction centers on what he views as a problematic matchup for Strickland. The assessment suggests Chimaev’s wrestling-heavy approach and physical dominance would overwhelm Strickland’s striking-based game.

    “No, I’m not giving him a chance,” Covington said. “Hernandez and Khamzat are completely different levels of grapplers and the way they approach their strategies. So, I think Khamzat’s going to take him down and submit him. Schmo went and watched them spar back at Xtreme Couture a couple of years ago, and he pretty much said it wasn’t competitive.

    “Khamzat was just taking him down and submitting him, so I expect that same damn plan. He’s not going to be stupid and strike with Sean and make it a kickboxing fight. He’s just going to make it straight grappling, and I think he’s going to put Strickland in some really bad positions and either submit him or just hold him down for 25 minutes.”

    Chimaev hasn’t competed since he won the middleweight gold back in August last year. ‘Borz’ had some heated words exchanged on social media with Strickland, and the two will clash at UFC 328 on May 9th in Newark.

  • Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland Headlines UFC 328

    Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland Headlines UFC 328

    The UFC released a trailer to promote events that it will be holding throughout the second quarter of 2026 — and that includes the revealing of the main card for UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark, New Jersey.

    The main event of UFC 328 will see Khamzat Chimaev defend the UFC middleweight championship against Sean Strickland.

    This will be Chimaev’s first title defense since defeating Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 this past August to claim the championship.

    Strickland finished Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston last month to earn this title shot. Strickland is a former champion; he won the title by upsetting Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 but quickly lost it to DDP at UFC 297.

    UFC 328’s co-main event will be a heavyweight title eliminator, as Alexander Volkov takes on Waldo Cortes-Acosta. Volkov has won six of his last eight, including a split decision over Jailton Almeida at UFC 321. Cortes-Acosta has won three straight and eight of his last nine, including back-to-back first-round knockouts of Ante Delija and Shamil Gaziev, as well as his finish of Derrick Lewis at UFC 324.

    Also featured at UFC 328 will be a welterweight contenders bout between Sean Brady and Joaquin Buckley. Both men will be looking to rebound from losses, respectively, against Michael Morales and Kamaru Usman.

    Jan Blachowicz and Bogdan Guskov will do battle once again after their UFC 323 encounter ended in a majority draw.

    One year after returning in a hearty loss against Mason Jones, UFC veteran and BKFC star Jeremy Stephens will make another Octagon appearance, taking on fellow Octagon veteran King Green.

    A middleweight contest featuring Ateba Gautier and Ozzy Diaz is scheduled to be the featured prelim bout.

    UFC 328 takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday, May 9.

  • ‘Overthink Nothing’ – Sean Strickland Stops Anthony Hernandez

    ‘Overthink Nothing’ – Sean Strickland Stops Anthony Hernandez

    Sean Strickland wants his middleweight championship back and thinks he’s ready for Khamzat Chimaev, making that statement with a finish of Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston.

    Strickland started the fight by working behind the jab, looking to keep Hernandez at bay and prevent any takedown attempts. Strickland landed a strong right hand that caught Hernandez’s attention about halfway through the first. Hernandez, however, battled hard during the second half of the round, landing a couple of strong rights.

    Strickland continued to work a strong jab during the second round, while Hernandez looked to come forward and turn the momentum with his pressure.

    Strickland ended things with a body shot that hurt “Fluffy” during the third, following it up with clinch knees to the body and some ground shots before the referee stopped the action.

    This was Strickland’s first fight since losing his UFC middleweight championship rematch with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312 one year ago. Strickland upset Israel Adesanya for the title at UFC 293 before losing to DDP at UFC 297.

    “Fluffy” Hernandez sees an eight-fight win streak snapped at the hands of Strickland. He came into this bout off a dominant submission of Roman Dolidze this past summer.

  • Sean Strickland Calls UFC Pay Practices “Predatory”

    Sean Strickland Calls UFC Pay Practices “Predatory”

    Sean Strickland shared honest thoughts about pay for fighters in the UFC, criticizing the pay scale as a predatory practice that the fighters have no control over.

    Speaking with Complex, Strickland was asked about the promotion’s decision to increase post-fight bonus awards from $50,000 to $100,000 — plus $25,000 for finishes.

    Strickland explained that while it looks like the UFC fighters are being paid more under the new Paramount deal, that isn’t exactly the case.

    “The UFC is the most, as far as the pay scale, there is no — you compare it to any other sporting event, the UFC is the most f***** up,” Strickland said. “If you compare it to like pay versus athletes versus what they’re making, there is no argument there. It’s not fair, it’s predatory. There is no argument there.

    “Now we’re a bunch of f****** idiots who take our clothes off and go fight for f****** shorten our lives for this. So like, do we deserve better? I don’t f****** know. I’m just telling you that there is no argument here that the UFC is not predatory.”

    It’s more common knowledge these days that the revenue share for UFC fighters is lackluster compared to athletes in other sports leagues. While athletes from leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB see around a 45-50 percent share of revenue, the UFC fighters — who have no collective bargaining agreement with the promotion — see only about 13-20 percent.

    That figure comes courtesy of an antitrust lawsuit — Le v. Zuffa — against the UFC that was settled in 2025. Another antitrust lawsuit — Johnson v. Zuffa — regarding the UFC’s business practices is still ongoing.

    Ronda Rousey echoed similar sentiments in a recent interview, claiming TKO’s focus on “cost-effective” fights played into why MVP Promotions, and not the UFC, are hosting her fight with Gina Carano in May. TKO formed in 2023 as part of a business merger between the UFC and WWE.

    Strickland added that it doesn’t matter if fighters do or don’t speak out about the pay issue — because there aren’t any hints of the pay for fighters changing anytime soon. In fact, Strickland stated fighters might be better off working corporate jobs than spending all their time training and competing in the Octagon.

    “…What are they signing guys [for]? 10 and 10? How much is f****** rent in Vegas? It’s like $2,000, $1,600, $1,400?” Strickland said. “So it’s like, once you pay your managers, your taxes, how the f*** you supposed to live on that? ‘Well, you could fight four times a year.’ Okay, so you go 3-1. Like, no, you’ll make more money at f****** Walmart, dude. But it’s what the UFC wants, man. It’s all just f****** corporate.

    “Why do I want to go compete with a Brazilian where he could go make money and live pretty nicely, to where you can’t do that in America? Why would anybody want that? It doesn’t make sense.”

    It’s been noted that Kayla Harrison is the only American UFC undisputed champion, with Justin Gaethje holding an interim title and Max Holloway holding the BMF belt.

    Strickland hinted this might be something we see for good if the pay structure does not undergo a major overhaul.

    “You say no to a fight. Well, guess what? They’re go find some f****** guy in some f****** sandpit and they’ll do it for f****** five and five,” Strickland said. “This is why you’re slowly gonna see the American roster die because it’s outsourced by people…”

    Strickland faces Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston.

  • UFC Houston: Strickland vs. Hernandez Results & Highlights

    UFC Houston: Strickland vs. Hernandez Results & Highlights

    UFC Houston results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The UFC is on the road with a Fight Night card for the first time this year. The main event will feature a key middleweight battle between Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez – Middleweight Main Event

    This bout marks Strickland’s first since losing a middleweight title rematch to Dricus Du Plessis last year. Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya to win the UFC middleweight title in upset fashion at UFC 293, but he dropped the gold in a close decision against Du Plessis at UFC 297. In the time between the two title fights with DDP, Strickland bested Paulo Costa via split decision at UFC 302.

    After a win on Dana White’s Contender Series was overturned and a 1-2 start to his Octagon tenure, Hernandez enters tonight on an eight-fight win streak. In 2025, “Fluffy” scored a unanimous decision over Brendan Allen and a dominant submission of Roman Dolidze.

    The co-main event will be a welterweight battle between Geoff Neal and Uros Medic. Neal enters this fight with losses in three of his last four. This is his first fight since getting knocked out by Carlos Prates at UFC 319. Medic, meanwhile, has won three of his last four, including first-round finishes of Gilbert Urbina and Muslim Salikhov last year.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC Houston!

    How to Watch UFC Houston

    • Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
    • Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
    • Streaming: Paramount+ (exclusive)
    • Prelims: 5 PM ET / 2 PM PT
    • Main Card: 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT

    UFC Houston Quick Results

    • Main Event: Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez — Sean Strickland def. Anthony Hernandez via TKO (Rd. 3, 2:23)
    • Co-Main: Geoff Neal vs. Uros Medic — Uros Medic def. Geoff Neal via KO (Rd. 1, 1:19)
    • Dan Ige vs. Melquizael Costa — Melquizael Costa def. Dan Ige via TKO (Rd. 1, 4:56)
    • Serghei Spivac vs. Ante Delija — Serghei Spivac def. Ante Delija via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
    • Jacobe Smith vs. Josiah Harrell — Jacobe Smith def. Josiah Harrell via KO (Rd. 1, 3:01)
    • Zachary Reese vs. Michel Pereira — Michel Pereira def. Zachary Reese via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    UFC Houston Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    Women’s Flyweight: Juliana Miller vs. Carli Judice

    Result: Carli Judice def. Juliana Miller via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)

    Featherweight: Jordan Leavitt vs. Yadier del Valle

    Result: Jordan Leavitt def. Yadier del Valle via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Welterweight: Phil Rowe vs. Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani

    Result: Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani def. Phil Rowe via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    Welterweight: Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Punahele Soriano

    Result: Punahele Soriano def. Ramiz Brahimaj via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Women’s Bantamweight: Nora Cornolle vs. Joselyne Edwards

    Result: Joselyne Edwards def. Nora Cornolle via submission (rear-naked choke)(Rd. 2, 2:44)

    Flyweight: Alden Coria vs. Luis Gurule

    Result: Alden Coria def. Luis Gurule via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Flyweight: Ode Osbourne vs. Alibi Idiris

    Result: Alibi Idiris def. Ode Osbourne via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)

    Welterweight: Chidi Njokuani vs. Carlos Leal

    Result: Carlos Leal def. Chidi Njokuani via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28

    Main Card (Paramount+, 8 PM ET)

    Middleweight: Zachary Reese vs. Michel Pereira

    Result: Michel Pereira def. Zachary Reese via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    Welterweight: Jacobe Smith vs. Josiah Harrell

    Result: Jacobe Smith def. Josiah Harrell via KO (Rd. 1, 3:01)

    Heavyweight: Serghei Spivac vs. Ante Delija

    Result: Serghei Spivac def. Ante Delija via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

    Featherweight: Dan Ige vs. Melquizael Costa

    Result: Melquizael Costa def. Dan Ige via TKO (Rd. 1, 4:56)

    Welterweight: Geoff Neal vs. Uros Medic

    Result: Uros Medic def. Geoff Neal via KO (Rd. 1, 1:19)

    Middleweight: Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez

    Result: Sean Strickland def. Anthony Hernandez via TKO (Rd. 3, 2:23)

  • Sean Strickland Predicts He’ll Out-Wrestle Fluffy at UFC Houston

    Sean Strickland Predicts He’ll Out-Wrestle Fluffy at UFC Houston

    Sean Strickland feels he has all the skills that will give him a big edge when he faces off with Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston this weekend.

    Strickland is known for being a pressure-heavy fighter, but most of that comes from his boxing. Strickland, in fact, prefers to use his fists when in combat.

    But that doesn’t mean he’s not a good grappler; in fact, Strickland, who is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, is considered underrated in the discipline.

    Hernandez is known for his grappling, but Strickland says anyone expecting “Fluffy” to succeed with takedowns and wrestling might be in for a surprise.

    During the UFC Houston media day, Strickland hinted that he may use grappling to help him set up a late finish.

    “I’m not the hardest guy to take down — and I don’t care about getting taken down,” Strickland said. “I think it’s going to be a five-round grappling match, which I will out-grapple him. And then I’ll TKO him in the fourth or fifth round.”

    Strickland, in fact, says he’s been looking forward to this matchup with Hernandez as a means of testing his grappling capabilities.

    “I’ve never done much grappling, especially this late into my career, so this is a test that I wanted,” Strickland said. “I do much more wrestling than I do striking in my training camps — so really it’s just having the gas tank to wrestle for five rounds.

    “Generally, he takes guys down and breaks them, but I’m not a guy who breaks.”

    Strickland is 4-2 in his last six. This will be his first fight since losing a middleweight championship rematch with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312. Strickland upset Israel Adesanya for the title at UFC 293 but dropped the title to DDP at UFC 297.

    Hernandez has won eight straight, including a decision win over Brendan Allen and a submission win over Roman Dolidze last year.

  • Dana White Defends Sean Strickland, Tells Critics to Toughen Up

    Dana White Defends Sean Strickland, Tells Critics to Toughen Up

    UFC president Dana White is pushing back at critics who are outraged by Sean Strickland’s “colorful” remarks this week, insisting that anyone offended by the controversial middleweight should stop asking him questions instead of demanding the promotion rein him in.

    “If you get your feelings hurt that bad, you probably shouldn’t ask the kind of questions when you know the answer you’re going to get from Strickland.”

    Strickland’s tirade draws mainstream backlash

    Sean Strickland’s UFC Houston media day appearance turned into a torrent of slurs and inflammatory remarks that quickly escaped the MMA bubble.​
    As detailed by Variety and other mainstream outlets, Strickland used a homophobic slur to describe upcoming Super Bowl halftime performer Bad Bunny, mocked the NFL for “gaying up” football with its entertainment choices, and derided him as a “gay foreigner” brought in to perform.

    He also claimed women have been empowered “too much” and “ruined society,” then reduced their value to domestic roles like cooking and cleaning while dismissing interest in women’s sports.​

    Aaaaaaand he was just getting started.

    When asked about Netflix’s planned MMA exhibition between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, he suggested they should fight “half naked,” joked about Rousey’s history of being abused by a former partner, and sexualized Carano while reminiscing about watching her fight as a teenager.

    The media day was staged to promote his main event bout with Anthony Hernandez this Saturday in Houston, airing on Paramount+, and marks Strickland’s first fight since a 2025 suspension for attacking another fighter while working as a cornerman.​

    The combination of misogynistic, anti-LGBTQ and xenophobic rhetoric turned what was supposed to be a standard promotional hit into a corporate headache.​
    Variety noted that both Paramount+ and the UFC did not immediately respond to requests for comment, underscoring how sensitive the situation is for the promotion and its broadcast partner as the clip circulates beyond fight fans.​

    Dana White: ‘Don’t ask him if you’re going to cry about it’

    While broadcast partners and sponsors may be bracing for fallout, Dana White’s stance on Strickland remains consistent with how he has handled past controversies involving the former middleweight champion.

    Speaking previously about backlash to Strickland’s offensive comments, White argued that members of the media who get their “feelings hurt” by Strickland’s answers are partly to blame when they knowingly toss him provocative questions.​

    “If you get your feelings hurt that bad, you probably shouldn’t ask the kind of questions when you know the answer you’re going to get from Strickland,” White said when asked about criticism of the fighter’s language.​

    He scoffed at the idea that the UFC gives Strickland a long “leash,” insisting that he doesn’t try to police fighters’ speech and that they are responsible for what comes out of their own mouths.

    White has framed the issue as one of individual freedom rather than corporate responsibility.

    “I don’t tell any other human being what to say or what to think,” he said, rejecting the notion that he should intervene when Strickland’s talking points veer into bigotry or hate.​

    In his view, the media have a clear idea of who Strickland is and what kind of soundbites he generates, and they should not act surprised when he delivers exactly that.​

    ‘No leashes’ and the UFC’s free-speech posture

    White’s broader message is that fights are the UFC’s product, but fighters’ speech belongs to them—even when it crosses lines that many fans, media members and advocacy groups find offensive.

    He has repeatedly rejected calls to muzzle Strickland, saying he does not put “leashes” on athletes or script their personalities, even as sponsors and partners must live with the fallout of what they say.

    That posture is now being stress-tested as Strickland’s comments are amplified by mainstream outlets like Variety, which framed the Houston media day appearance as a “bigoted tirade” that targeted women, LGBTQ people and immigrants.​

    Instead of signaling a change in approach, White is doubling down on the idea that Strickland is an uncensored personality and that anyone offended by him should stop treating him like a reliable spokesman for the sport.

    UFC, Paramount+ and the optics problem

    The tension for the UFC is that Strickland is not just a random undercard fighter ranting on social media; he is a former champion headlining a Paramount+-streamed event that the company is actively promoting.

    His tirade unfolded on an official UFC media platform, with UFC branding everywhere, and directly tied to a fight the promotion and its partners want fans to watch on Saturday.​

    UFC’s silence when reached for comment, combined with White’s “no leashes” rhetoric, paints the picture of a company willing to absorb reputational damage in exchange for the attention and viral clips that come with Strickland’s persona.

    At the same time, Strickland’s opponent Anthony Hernandez has already addressed racially charged material involving Strickland in the build-up to UFC Houston, vowing to “torture” him in the cage after a racist post depicted Hernandez using stereotypical Mexican imagery. ​

    For now, there is no indication that White plans to discipline Strickland over his latest comments, much less tell him to tone down his rhetoric.

    With Strickland set to headline in Houston on Paramount+, the fallout from this week’s comments (and White’s refusal to distance himself from them) will loom over Saturday night’s broadcast.

  • “I Need This Belt” – Anthony Hernandez’s Game Plan for UFC Houston

    “I Need This Belt” – Anthony Hernandez’s Game Plan for UFC Houston

    Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez arrived at UFC Houston media day with one message: he’s not here to survive a main event, he’s here to take over the UFC middleweight division.

    In a sit-down with Full Send MMA’s Shawny Mack, Hernandez laid out his strategy against former champion Sean Strickland and made clear the stakes couldn’t feel higher to him heading into Saturday night.

    “I don’t know what I’m going to get, but at the end of the day I’m going to cut off the cage and I’m going to stay in his face and make him hate his life and regret calling me out,” Hernandez said. “I need that spot. I need this belt. This is the perfect fight for me.”

    Who Goes Backwards First?

    Much of the pre-fight chatter around this matchup has centered on which version of Strickland shows up. Will it be the aggressive pressure fighter or the more passive, disengaged version that appeared in some recent bouts? Hernandez isn’t building a game plan around either option. He’s focused on imposing his own.

    “He says he always brings it and he comes forward. We’ll see who goes backwards first.”

    His strategy is built on cage-cutting — suffocating Strickland’s ability to create distance and making the fight ugly and physical from the opening bell. The main event is five rounds, which plays directly into Hernandez’s relentless pace.

    More Than a Grappler

    Hernandez has built his eight-fight win streak largely on the strength of his wrestling and grinding pressure, but he pushed back firmly on being labeled a one-dimensional fighter. Against Strickland, he says, fans are going to see the full package.

    “Everybody knows me as this grappling guy, but I’ve said it myself — I like to strike. I’m really good at grappling, but that’s just what I’ve done to win,” he said. “And now I finally get a guy that I can strike with. I’m planning on giving everyone a show. I’m going to go out there and show that I know how to do martial arts at the highest level of MMA. I’m going to mix it up and I’m going to keep it nasty. I’m going to make his life hell.”

    Strickland, meanwhile, has said publicly he believes he’s the better wrestler and predicts the fight becomes a kickboxing match. Hernandez isn’t buying it — but he’s also not spending energy on the back-and-forth. His focus is the performance.

    “Tune in. It’s two violent motherf***ers getting to face each other. I hope you guys enjoy the show.”

    UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez goes down Saturday, February 21 from Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, streaming live on Paramount+. The winner is widely expected to be next in line for Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC Middleweight Championship.

  • Sean Strickland Blasts Khamzat Chimaev for Stalling UFC’s Middleweight Division

    Sean Strickland Blasts Khamzat Chimaev for Stalling UFC’s Middleweight Division

    Sean Strickland is criticizing Khamzat Chimaev for not defending his Middleweight title, accusing him of stalling the division due to injury. Strickland claims Chimaev fights infrequently and has mysterious injuries after every fight. Chimaev won the title by defeating Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/DR8pd6mlMu1

    Strickland, preparing to face Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston next weekend, believes he is the only middleweight who could beat Khamzat Chimaev. Strickland lost to Dricus du Plessis at the start of 2024 and again at UFC 312. Khamzat Chimaev is the reigning undefeated Middleweight champion.

    Strickland’s Criticism of Chimaev

    Strickland posted on Instagram, stating Khamzat Chimaev “is just going to sit on that f****ng belt” and wait until he is forced to fight. Strickland believes Chimaev makes more money not fighting for the belt. Strickland has not fought since losing to Dricus du Plessis in the UFC 312 rematch 12 months ago.

    Strickland also claimed that Anthony ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez is a better wrestler than Chimaev over five rounds.

    Khamzat Chimaev is undefeated and dominated Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 to become champion.

  • Jake Paul, Strickland, Henderson Slam Olympians Over US-ICE ‘Heartbreak’

    Jake Paul, Strickland, Henderson Slam Olympians Over US-ICE ‘Heartbreak’

    Jake Paul, Sean Strickland and UFC legend Dan Henderson unleashed sharp criticism against Olympic skiers Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess for voicing conflicted feelings about representing the United States.

    The backlash erupted on February 6, 2026, ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, after Lillis expressed being ‘heartbroken’ over actions by Donald Trump’s ICE agents, while Hess admitted mixed emotions due to the political climate.

    Fighters Condemn Team USA Skiers

    Jake Paul

    Jake Paul (8-1 boxing record) led the charge on Twitter/X, dismissing the skiers’ complaints with blunt patriotism. Told told the skiers to ‘shut the f— up’ and leave the country if unwilling to represent it proudly.

    Sean Strickland

    Sean Strickland (29-6 MMA record, former UFC middleweight champion) amplified the sentiment, targeting Hess directly. Sean Strickland called Hess a ‘b—-‘ and echoed calls to get out.

    Dan Henderson

    Dan Henderson (30-15 MMA record, Olympic wrestler and two-division UFC title challenger) took a more measured but firm stance. “For me, the United States gave me opportunities you can’t get in most countries across the world,” Henderson posted on Twitter/X. He contrasted his pride in representing the USA at the Olympics and in the UFC with the skiers’ stance, suggesting they spend time with the military to gain perspective.

  • Marvin Vettori Saddened To Get Kicked Out of Group Chat with Khamzat Chimaev, Darren Till, and Sean Strickland

    Marvin Vettori Saddened To Get Kicked Out of Group Chat with Khamzat Chimaev, Darren Till, and Sean Strickland

    Marvin Vettori was once in a middleweight super group online with the likes Khamzat Chimaev, Darren Till, and Sean Strickland until ‘The Italian Dream’ got the boot from it. This was situation was touched on by the former UFC middleweight title challenger during an interview with Helen Yee Sports. Vettori was covering several subjects ahead of his looming clash with Brunno Ferreira which is set for UFC 323 on December 6th.

    Part of the reason for his group chat removal seems to be tied somewhat to his recent work at Beneil Dariush‘s Kings MMA Anaheim and prioritizing being in California more than Nevada, as of late, as Vettori said,

    “We even have a group that Sean Strickland did on Instagram, and we were talking all kinds of stuff in that group—Darren Till and Khamzat were in it too. And even right after the fight, I said, ‘Listen, Darren, just stop it. You look horrible holding those pads.’ But he never answered. We used to bully Darren a little bit in that group. Sean kicked me out. It’s so funny. Like, people just sending videos… Sean never told you about it?”

    “It was supposed to be a sparring group, and then they kicked me out since I’m not in Vegas all the time, and I didn’t show up. Khamzat even said it: ‘Oh, I didn’t show up for the sparring that time.’ But I was like, bro, am I going to drive five hours just to spar and then come back… I didn’t plan it. Plus, I got my own stuff going on, and I want to fight this guy, so I’m not going to spar him.”​

    Marvin Vettori receives flak for controversial online remarks

    Marvin Vettori is someone who clearly does not mince words, and this was reflected in relatively recent online comments he made that many saw as antisemitic. In an aggressive retweet that took place on his personal X account, Vettori stated,

    “F* all these people, this s* is getting out of hand, they control everything, f*** these ashkenazi Jews that wants control over the world. Here I said it.”

    Vettori demonstrably does not care who his comments rub the wrong way, and it seems like all kinds of speech is on the table in this Dana White “free speech” era of the UFC.

    Sean Strickland, Khamzat Chimaev & Darren Till, Marvin Vettori

  • Sean Strickland: Khamzat Chimaev is a “little f***ing p*ssy”

    UFC star Sean Strickland has gone after UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev in his most recent rant.

    We all know that Sean Strickland is a pretty controversial character. He says and does things that rub people the wrong way more often than not, but given that he’s a former world champion himself, it’s hard to discredit him too much. Right now, it’s Khamzat Chimaev that’s at the top of the middleweight division, and it certainly seems as if that bothers Sean just a little bit.

    A fight between these two would be interesting, and that goes without saying. Sean Strickland has trained with Khamzat in the past, and given where they’re both at in their respective careers, it’s not that hard to imagine it happening at some point in the future.

    If it does, we imagine Sean Strickland will have more than a few things to say, especially given the contents of this interview.

    Sean Strickland goes after Khamzat Chimaev

    “Yeah, dude. F*** Chimaev, dude. Made me realize I should wrestle, dude. You know, dude, that little f***ing pussy, dude. I can’t stand f***ing Chimaev. You son of a bitch. You know, I think what annoys me about Chimaev, there’s nobody that could beat him. 

    “You know, like I’ve trained with all the guys he’s going to fight, like I’ve trained with Chimaev, dude, for one round, the guy could grapple for one round, dude. Once you—once you get over that one round of scramble, he just quits. It just turns into a kickboxing match like what he did with the 155er or the 170er or what’s his name? Gilbert.”

  • Jon Jones Will Use “Black Athleticism” Against Alex Pereira, Says Sean Strickland

    Jon Jones Will Use “Black Athleticism” Against Alex Pereira, Says Sean Strickland

    Sean Strickland has some interesting thoughts on how a fight between Jon Jones and Alex Pereira could potentially play out.

    As we know, Jon Jones retired from mixed martial arts not so long ago. Then, in the blink of an eye, he seemed to change his mind, instead opting to shoot for a possible return at next summer’s UFC White House card. While Dana White doesn’t appear to be all too interested in the idea, Jon seems set on trying to change the boss’ mind.

    While fighting for the UFC heavyweight championship will obviously appeal to him, Jon Jones has also previously teased the idea of a superfight against Alex Pereira. After UFC 320 this past weekend, ‘Poatan’ also flirted with battling Jones, implying that he was going to call him out in the cage before news of his brother’s passing broke.

    In a recent interview, the aforementioned Sean Strickland weighed in on a possible Pereira vs Jones showdown.

    Sean Strickland’s view on Jon Jones vs Alex Pereira

    “I think if there’s anyone to beat Jon Jones, it’s Alex. But I mean, Jon Jones, that one guy could wrestle, dude. That level of black athleticism, you know, like that—that man could wrestle, dude. You know, when you come from a lineage of like D1 professional athletes, you know, real real good. Oh, yeah. No, I love it, dude.”

    Aside from Strickland’s strange choice of language, the point about Jon’s wrestling ability is certainly an interesting one given Alex’s striking-heavy style.