Khamzat Chimaev, a top contender in the UFC’s middleweight division, has stated his intention to maintain a sense of sportsmanship when he faces Sean Strickland at UFC 308. Despite the intense rivalry and pre-fight animosity, Chimaev indicated that he will not cross the line in the octagon.
The UFC is taking significant precautions to ensure the fight week remains incident-free. UFC President Dana White has revealed that Chimaev and Strickland will be housed in separate hotels and extra security will be present to prevent any confrontations. White has also suggested that pre-fight face-offs and photoshoots between the two fighters should be avoided, given their history as former training partners who have become bitter rivals.
In a recent interview with Adam Zubayraev, Chimaev commented on the situation, stating his primary focus is on the fight itself. He also downplayed the significance of a team-vs-team confrontation, noting that Strickland primarily works with coach Eric Nicksick, and suggesting that Nicksick has a positive disposition towards him.
Regarding the possibility of an overly aggressive celebration if he secures a submission victory over Strickland at UFC 308, Chimaev clarified his stance. He referred to the idea of causing serious harm to his opponent as “haram” (forbidden in Islam) and expressed that he has no intention of “killing” Strickland within the confines of the cage.
However, Chimaev’s comments took a starkly different turn when discussing potential encounters outside the controlled environment of the octagon. He suggested that while the cage represents a sporting contest, any confrontation on the streets would be a different matter entirely. In such a scenario, Chimaev controversially remarked, “If he dies, he dies.”