)
Last Saturday, Khamzat Chimaev suffered the first loss of his MMA career, falling to Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328. In the lead-up to the fight, the rivalry between Chimaev and Strickland reached a fever pitch, with UFC CEO Dana White calling it one of the most intense in the organization's history. However, when the final bell rang, Chimaev and Strickland were all smiles, with Chimaev even placing the belt around Strickland's waist after he was declared the winner.
This left fans wondering if the animosity between Chimaev and Strickland was ever genuine, or if it was all just a ploy to sell tickets. While Strickland claims the act of fighting itself brought them closer, Chimaev attributes the reconciliation to Strickland's post-fight apology.
“Many people were worried,” Chimaev said in a video posted to his Instagram Stories (via Home of Fight). “We won’t give up. We will continue to win again, if it is Allah’s will, and we will continue to train. The motivation is still there. We still want to get the belt. And as for that guy: he said a lot of unnecessary things. People asked why I shook his hand and why I put the belt on him afterward. We don’t have a habit of talking or fighting after a loss. If we fight, we fight in the cage, and we fought as much as we could. What Allah has decided is no longer in our control. That guy bowed his head and asked for forgiveness. If a man asks for forgiveness, I can forgive him.”
But while Chimaev may no longer harbor ill will towards Strickland, he believes they have unfinished business. Strickland defeated Chimaev by split decision, and although immediately after the fight it seemed the Chechen might be planning a move to the 205-pound division, ESPN reports that the only thing "Borz" wants now is another shot at Strickland.
“A rematch with Sean Strickland is the only fight Khamzat wants, he’s obsessed with it,” Chimaev’s team stated. “It’s the only fight he will accept right now.”
It's unclear if Chimaev will get the rematch he's seeking, especially considering much of the hype for their UFC 328 bout stemmed from their personal rivalry. Meanwhile, Strickland already has a heated feud with top contender Nassourdine Imavov awaiting him, or a potential third fight with former champion Dricus du Plessis, who holds two victories over the champion.
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
&format=webp)