“I love him.” Strickland explains the controversies with Chimaev before the fight

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland stated that there was never any real hostility between him and Khamzat Chimaev.

Their fight was the main event of UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey, and ended with a split-decision victory for Strickland. With the win, Strickland became the UFC middleweight champion, although tensions between the two had reached a boiling point before the bout.

“I think Chimaev, especially considering that he’s Chechen, is a very proud man. You know, sometimes I say things that could offend someone, but it’s just humor. Khamzat comes from a different part of the world, and I think he didn’t always understand my sense of humor. But Chimaev is a good guy. Let’s not forget that we’re in the fight business. I can’t exactly go out there and say, ‘Chimaev, you’re such a great guy, let’s have a fair fight,’ can I? Khamzat is a good man. I love him. We did a few things to help promote the fight,” Strickland said during the post-fight press conference after his victory.