One prominent UFC analyst believes Sean Strickland presents a head-scratching puzzle for Khamzat Chimaev to solve at UFC 328.
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland received a faster path to another title shot quicker than most expected when Khamzat Chimaev won the belt last year at UFC 319. After an impressive win over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston, Strickland will challenge for Chimaev’s title in the UFC 328 main event next month in Newark.
Strickland will look to end Chimaev’s unblemished fighting record and reclaim the middleweight throne following two losses to Dricus du Plessis. The heat is on between Strickland and Chimaev, and the build-up is expected to be fireworks.
Few are picking Strickland to pull off the upset against a visibly motivated Chimaev at UFC 328. But after spending time with Strickland at Xtreme Couture, a former UFC star believes Strickland possesses the skillset to dethrone the champ.
Dan Hardy points out MMA neglected skills that Sean Strickland possesses
In a recent breakdown on his YouTube channel, former UFC title challenger Dan Hardy shared an interesting tidbit on Strickland’s prep for UFC 328.
“What I learned about Strickland in the gym is that he’s very clever about all of the things that seem to be neglected in modern-day MMA,” Hardy said of Strickland. “This is why I can tell that he’s spent hours on the mat at Xtreme Couture with just absolute veterans of the game, just grinding rounds out.
“He thinks of all the chin in the temple and the foot stomps and the waiting on people and hanging and forcing them to work more than they want to.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)
Strickland’s unique toolbox was on display in recent wins over Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa, and Hernandez. But he’ll face a tall task in taking on the freight train that is Chimaev at UFC 328.
Some believe Strickland is one of the few middleweight contenders with a legitimate shot at defeating Chimaev. According to Hardy, don’t be surprised if Strickland returns to the throne next month.
What is your prediction for Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland? Let us know in the comments!