Sean Strickland takes aim at Khamzat Chimaev and his sparring choice

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Sean Strickland doesn’t rate Khamzat Chimaev’s choice of sparring partners.

The middleweight champion has been spotted working with Brendan Allen, who is also preparing for an upcoming bout.

Given Allen’s position as a top-five contender in the division, the pairing makes sense from a tactical standpoint.

But when asked about it recently, Strickland dismissed the idea that sparring with Allen would be beneficial for Chimaev.

Sean Strickland unimpressed with Khamzat Chimaev’s choice of training partner ahead of UFC 328

Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC

When preparing for his next middleweight title fight, Sean Strickland reached out to Johnny Eblen for help.

Speaking to reporters, the former champ explained why he believes his choice of sparring partner gives him an advantage over Khamzat Chimaev’s camp.

Strickland, who beat Allen in the second round six years ago, doesn’t seem convinced that this will give his opponent an advantage at UFC 328.

“If Brendan Allen was right here and you were to watch Johnny [Eblen] spar Brendan Allen, Johnny could f— him if he wanted to. He could truly f— him if he wanted to,” Strickland said in a clip posted by Full Send MMA. “So you’re like posting these clips of you beating Brendan Allen, bro? Brendan Allen has his Instagram handle on his truck, bro. You’re pretty much fighting a woman, bro.

“You’re beating up a woman. I’m out here training with one of the baddest men on the f—— planet and you’re beating up f—— Brendan Allen thinking you’re training, dog. You ain’t training, dude, you’re beating up a woman.”

Eblen is not just one of the most respected fighters – he is also one of the best in the world when it comes to MMA middleweights.