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Khamzat Chimaev appreciates Sean Strickland's trash talk as it boosts his earnings ahead of their UFC 328 fight. Despite their rivalry, Chimaev acknowledges that the hype is financially beneficial.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 16: Khamzat Chimaev of Russia reacts after a unanimous-decision victory against Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa in the UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 319 event at the United Center on August 16, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)
Khamzat Chimaev doesnāt like much of anything Sean Strickland has said leading up to their fight at UFC 328 but he appreciate every word seems to be adding zeroes to his bank account.
The disdain between the middleweights is well known with Strickland using just about every derogative word in the dictionary to take aim at Chimaev. In response, Chimaev has largely remained calm, cool and collective while promising to settle the score once they meet in the octagon on Saturday night.
But for all the bad blood between them, Chimaev says Strickland hyping up this fight has definitely been good for him financially.
āI love him,ā Chimaev told reporters including MMA Fighting during a scrum on Tuesday. āI donāt know they pay good for him. Thatās the important thing. I never made that much money before. Thatās good.ā
The UFC has gone to extremes to keep Chimaev and Strickland separated before they are forced to interact later this week at the customary pre-fight press conference on Thursday and then the weigh-ins on Friday.
The promotion has also hired extra security to ensure nothing happens before Chimaev and Strickland actually set foot in the octagon together on Saturday.
For his part, Chimaev admits heās had an eye out looking for Strickland since he first arrived in New Jersey but the UFC has done a good job keeping them away from each other.
āLet him come,ā Chimaev said. āI think they took him to some other hotel so maybe thinks so. I tried to find the guy and thatās not so much personal. The guy just talks too much.
Sean Strickland's trash talk has significantly increased Khamzat Chimaev's earnings by generating more hype for their upcoming fight.
The rivalry stems from Strickland's derogatory comments about Chimaev, which have escalated the tension leading up to their fight.
The fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland is scheduled for Saturday night at UFC 328.
Khamzat Chimaev has largely remained calm and collected in response to Sean Strickland's comments, focusing on settling the score in the octagon.
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āI donāt think itās that possible [for any back and forth] to happen. Because they donāt let me see this guy.ā
Chimaev also referenced an earlier threat made by Strickland where the former middleweight champion said if he gets jumped during fight week that heās going to bring a gun and heās willing to open fire if necessary.
As highly unlikely as that is to happen, Chimaev isnāt concerned about Strickland trying to unleash deadly violence on him or his team before UFC 328 arrives on Saturday.
āWhere is he? Iāve been here three days in the lobby and the guy said heās going to shoot me,ā Chimaev said. āLetās go. Do that. I will be happy to die.
āDo you think I care about what he says? When it comes time to die, I will be happy. All my life Iāve heard stuff like that. I donāt care about that shit.ā
Considering the tension and all the trash talk between them, Chimaev and Strickland arenāt likely to bury the hatchet no matter the result in the fight.
Thatās why Chimaev could only scoff at a question about his willingness to put everything behind him when the fight is over and actually shake Stricklandās hand.
Truth be told, Chimaev doesnāt really care one way or another if he maintains a good relationship with any of his past opponents and the same goes for Strickland after they finally clash on Saturday.
āWhatās the point if I shake hands or not after the fight?ā Chimaev said. āI beat him up, maybe never see him again The other 15 guys who I beat, I almost didnāt see them again. I donāt care about his life. I care about my life.ā