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Joe Rogan believes Sean Strickland is being seriously underestimated ahead of his high-stakes clash at UFC 328 — and warns fans not to write him off just yet.
Sean Strickland (30-7 MMA, 17-7 UFC) enters his title fight as a significant underdog against undefeated middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC). The bout headlines UFC 328 this Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark.
Strickland hasn’t held back in the buildup, firing verbal shots at Chimaev and even making extreme comments about defending himself if things escalate during fight week. Rogan believes this kind of psychological pressure could impact Chimaev more than people expect.
Speaking on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Joe Rogan pointed out that Strickland’s trash talk goes beyond entertainment — it’s calculated mental warfare.
“Sean has talked so much trash,” Rogan said. “He’s a wild guy, and the way he does it — it’s emotional warfare. It’s similar to what Conor McGregor used to do. Look at what Conor did to Jose Aldo — he got into his head before the fight even started. Aldo was a legend, and nobody dared talk like that to him before.”
Rogan recalled how McGregor’s relentless mind games left Aldo visibly shaken long before they stepped into the octagon.
“By the time the fight happened, Aldo was overwhelmed emotionally, while Conor was completely relaxed,” Rogan added.
But beyond the trash talk, Rogan insists Strickland’s fighting style makes him a real threat.
“Strickland is one of the best fighters in the world. So is Khamzat,” Rogan said. “But Strickland is a legitimate world champion. He’s used to five-round fights, has incredible cardio, and is one of the hardest guys to hit in the sport.”
He also emphasized a frequently overlooked aspect of Strickland’s game.
“He absolutely has a chance. His grappling is underrated, and his takedown defense is among the best in the sport. Whether people realize it or not, Strickland is a very real challenge for Chimaev.”
