Sean Strickland fires back at Khamzat Chimaev over sparring comments: "Running from crypto scams and hiding from war lords"
The former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has some unsavory words for Khamzat Chimaev after the undefeated Chechen native commented on how he dominated Strickland in the gym.
Chimaev talked to Red Corner MMA and spoke about how Strickland and him have some unfinished business. According to 'Borz', most people in the gym have witnessed how helpless the American was when he sparred with the Chechen native as he "choked" and "beat him up."
“[Strickland] said he beat me in sparring, but there were a lot of guys around who saw me choking him and beating him up."
The 'Tarzan' replied how glad he was that the Chechen grappler had finally found some time to comment after "running away" from his crypto scams and hiding from warlords.
"I'm glad he found time to speak this BS. I thought he was too busy running from crypto scams and hiding from war lords."
The undefeated star has been lambasted for his alleged crypto scam, where the 30-year-old and his team mismanaged the crypto scheme, leading to the token value collapsing 96% within 24 hours.
'Borz' has also been criticized for spending time with the head of his country, the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, who has fiercely been accused of war crimes and using extra-judicial tactics to stifle the political opposition.
It is not uncommon for fighters to be invited to meet with the heads of their governments. Still, Chimaev's association with Kadyrov goes beyond formality and inches toward quasi-political affiliation, where the dictator wants to uphold the image of strongman leadership.
The 30-year-old Chechen's relationship with his leader has progressed to the point where Chimaev records video footage of Kadyrov's son outboxing the undefeated star. The UFC middleweight appears to be struggling against the son, seemingly to get the approval of the dictator.
Sean Strickland blamed the culture of Saudi Arabia for not wanting to fight Chimaev in the Kingdom
Sean Strickland blamed the Middle East's antiquated cultural customs for his reluctance to enter the cage in Saudi Arabia. 'Tarzan' feels the place doesn't suit him, as he is too fond of freedom and "bikinis" to ever want to visit the Kingdom.
During an interview with veteran MMA journalist Shakiel Mahjouri, Strickland said:
"Nah, I wouldn't go to Saudi Arabia. Hang out with a bunch of burqas, I'm good man... Something about burqas and no bikinis and sh*t doesn't sound like my place."