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Cruz: Chimaev, Strickland trying to 'out-crazy' each other for UFC 328
TL;DR
Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland are intensifying their rivalry ahead of UFC 328, with both fighters escalating their trash talk. Dominick Cruz believes they are trying to outdo each other in craziness as fight week approaches.
Key points
- Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland are escalating their rivalry.
- Dominick Cruz comments on their trash talk ahead of UFC 328.
- Strickland made aggressive remarks about Chimaev during fight week.
- The fight is set for May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
- Both fighters are trying to maintain tough personas leading up to the match.
Mentioned in this story
Prudential CenterNewark, N.J.
Khamzat ChimaevSean StricklandUFC 328
The intensity between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland is ramping up as UFC 328 fight week approaches, with both champion and challenger escalating their talk in recent days.
UFC Hall of Famer and commentator Dominick Cruz thinks it's a growing game of chicken between the two egos, with Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) and Strickland (30-7 MMA, 17-7 UFC) not wanting to show any signs of weakness as the moments grow closer to the May 9 middleweight title grudge match at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. (Paramount+).
On Tuesday, Strickland said, among many other comments, that he would shoot Chimaev and his team with a gun if they attempted to get physical with him on fight week. On Thursday, the champion responded, saying Strickland would be "dead" if he attempted such a thing, but made it clear he would prefer to punish him inside the octagon instead.
It's all leading to a potentially explosive fight week, and Cruz sees lots of unpredictable elements in play because of the stakes involved.
"I think this is just fight week pressure and they both have an image to uphold, and both of them are going to flex bigger than the other one because that's the personality they're trying to bring," Cruz told MMA Junkie. "They can't start being nice now. You know what I mean? They've got to be the crazy guys. And now they're going to out-crazy each other to see who's tougher. That's how I see it. Like, 'No, I'm crazier than you, you can't be crazier than me because I've already shown you how crazy I am.' It's just a show to me. But at the same time, the nerves of the fight going to the death is real. Two things can be true at the same time.
"I do believe there's a lot of pressure. Think of the pressure for these guys? Strickland on his way to another title. Khamzat is just the undefeated guy that â think of the things people have been telling his ego? 'You're unbeatable, you're the strongest guy ever, nobody will ever touch you.' You can tell by the way that he talks that he really believes the hype about himself, too, to uphold. Imagine what his ego is telling him every day? That's the pressure we have as fighters."
Q&A
What is the significance of the Chimaev vs Strickland fight at UFC 328?
The fight is for the middleweight title, making it a high-stakes matchup between the champion Khamzat Chimaev and challenger Sean Strickland.
When is the UFC 328 fight between Chimaev and Strickland scheduled?
UFC 328 is scheduled for May 9, 2024.
What did Sean Strickland say about Khamzat Chimaev during fight week?
Sean Strickland made aggressive comments, stating he would shoot Chimaev and his team if they attempted to confront him physically.
How does Dominick Cruz view the rivalry between Chimaev and Strickland?
Dominick Cruz sees it as a game of chicken where both fighters are trying to out-crazy each other to maintain their tough personas as the fight approaches.