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Ex-UFC contender claims fighter praised by Donald Trump made Khamzat Chimaev back down
TL;DR
Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland had a heated exchange at UFC 328, with Strickland alleging that Paulo Costa made Chimaev back down during a gym altercation.
Key points
- Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland exchanged insults at UFC 328.
- Strickland claimed Paulo Costa made Chimaev back down in a gym.
- Security struggled to calm tensions during the press conference.
Khamzat ChimaevSean StricklandPaulo CostaUFC 328
Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC
Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland produced one of the most heated UFC press conferences in recent memory last Thursday ahead of UFC 328.
The pair repeatedly exchanged insults while security struggled to calm tensions on stage.
During one exchange, Strickland claimed Paulo Costa once made Chimaev retreat following an altercation inside a gym.
Costa, who recently impressed Donald Trump with his latest appearance at UFC 327, backed Strickland’s version of events and soon saw another MMA figure do the same, as former UFC welterweight contender Jake Shields openly supported the narrative involving ‘Borz’ online.
Jake Shields backs Sean Strickland’s remarks about Khamzat Chimaev
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Shields responded directly to a post published by Costa on X while discussing the alleged confrontation involving Chimaev. His comments quickly gained attention among MMA fans already invested in the rivalry.
“He [Khamzat] watched me and Paulo work out for 30 minutes,” Shields wrote. “Then, after the cameras and 10 people showed up, he acted like he wanted to fight.”
Those remarks echoed intensified discussion surrounding Chimaev’s rivalry with Costa and whether the pair could finally settle matters inside the cage.
Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev fight could finally happen
A future showdown between Costa and ‘Borz’ now appears more realistic, as Costa recently moved up to light heavyweight and defeated Azamat Murzakanov in impressive fashion.
Chimaev has also publicly stated his intention to test himself in the higher division. Therefore, this could finally create the right conditions for a long-awaited matchup.
Q&A
What did Sean Strickland say about Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa?
Sean Strickland claimed that Paulo Costa once made Khamzat Chimaev retreat during an altercation in a gym.
What happened during the UFC 328 press conference?
The press conference featured intense exchanges between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland, leading to heightened tensions that required security intervention.
Why was the UFC 328 press conference significant?
The press conference was notable for its heated exchanges, showcasing the rivalry between Chimaev and Strickland ahead of their fight.