Upset alert! UFC 328’s Sean Strickland ‘a lot stronger than Khamzat,’ claims common opponent

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 01: Sean Strickland reacts after his victory over Abus Magomedov of Russia in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on July 01, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Sean Strickland is a big underdog for his UFC 328 main event against Khamzat Chimaev.

But former middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis, believes Strickland will “surprise some people” with his performance on Sat. night (May 9) at Prudential Center in Newark. Having faced both “Tarzan” and “Borz,” Du Plessis gives the strength advantage to Strickland.

“Stillknocks” defeated Strickland at UFC 297 and then again at UFC 312.

“The first round is going to tell us so much about this fight,” Du Plessis told Fight Forecast. “I know Khamzat is going to get him down. I’ve taken Strickland down so many times. I know Khamzat is going to get him down, but to keep him there? That’s going to be the big question. Because Strickland’s ability to get up, the technique he uses, the strength he has. He’s a strong guy, a lot stronger than Khamzat on a physical level. I think he’s going to surprise some people. If Strickland gets up two or three times in the first round, it’s not going to get easier with the sweat and the fatigue, trying to keep a guy down that gets up. It uses a lot more energy than the guy getting up.”