Sean Strickland explains change of stance on rivalry with Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 328

Chimaev and Strickland face off in a tense confrontation at the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

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Sean Strickland opened up about the relationship with Khamzat Shimaev after the battle fought in UFC 328, held last Saturday (9), in New Jersey (USA). After weeks marked by provocations, threats and extreme tension behind the scenes, the American stated that he began to see his rival differently after the five rounds fought inside the octagon.

In the main fight of the event, Strickland defeated Chimaev by split decision and regained the UFC middleweight title (up to 83,9 kg).. Before the fight, the atmosphere between the athletes was even described by Dana White as one of the most intense rivalries in the organization's recent history.

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During the post-event press conference, the American explained that, despite the provocations during the promotion of the fight, the feeling changed after the war that took place inside the octagon. According to the champion, experiences like this end up creating a respect that is impossible to understand for those who have never experienced a professional fight.

"I watch fights. Look at the UFC these days, it's incredibly boring. Seriously, the UFC is so boring. Do you know half the roster? Except for..." Alex PoatánAnd he doesn't even talk much, he just goes in there and knocks everyone out. Other than that, it's all very boring.

There's one thing that, unless you've lived it, you'll never understand. When you go in there to fight another man, your soul is laid bare. You're bleeding, he's bleeding, you want to give up, he wants to give up too, nobody wants to be there anymore…

"And that's where an enormous respect is born between you. It transcends race, religion, nationality, country. It's something difficult to explain. After you almost kill each other in there, you end up becoming brothers, whether you win or lose," Strickland said at the press conference.

Strickland denies fabricating a rivalry with Chimaev.

Strickland defeated Chimaev in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFC

Despite the change in attitude after the fight, the American denied that the entire rivalry was created solely to promote the fight. According to the champion, he genuinely felt intimidated by Chimaev's behavior backstage.

Strickland, however, surprised everyone by admitting that some of the tension may have been heightened by his own interpretation of his rival's actions over time.

"Maybe that's just his way, but when he was at the gym, he had a really intimidating demeanor. And maybe that side of me exists too, but when someone threatens me, I want to kill that person."

Maybe he didn't see it that way. Maybe it's just his Chechen humor, but at the gym, he always tried to intimidate me. I'd say, 'Let's spar,' but we never trained together.

To be honest, maybe I created this whole situation in my head. There are times when you're not mentally well, you interpret certain interactions differently… so there's a possibility that I simply hallucinated this whole relationship with Chimaev,” he added.