Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland: Why the Former Teammates are Now UFC’s Biggest Rivals

As far as bad blood goes in the UFC, you would be hard-pressed to find a more bitter feud currently than Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.

The rivalry between the two middleweights has reached boiling point in recent months, and is only likely to grow in the build-up to their main event bout at UFC 328 on May 9.

There was a time, though, when both men shared a gym together, hitting the mats at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas in 2022 – so what exactly happened to turn these former partners into the rivals they are today?

Leaked sparring details spark the feud

What happened years ago when the pair were training together and building their reputations as title contenders at 185 lbs is something that is only known to the people who were behind those closed doors.

But in 2024, Chimaev made claims that he was able to submit the American on several occasions during the training sessions, telling former UFC champion Michael Bisping that Strickland was not happy when “Borz” tapped him out.

While respect was paid at the time, Strickland then hit back in 2025, claiming that Chimaev was picking weaker opponents in training and accusing his former partner of being mentally weak ahead of his UFC 319 title fight against Dricus du Plessis.

Now, the pair are set to put their skills to the test against each other for the world to see.

Chimaev is the heavy favorite presently, and fans can get involved with the action by betting on the fight, using the top mobile sportsbooks listed by GOAL, your trusted source for betting insights and offers.

Personal attacks sour the mood further

With both Strickland and Chimaev capturing the middleweight belt since their days training together, their competitive nature was only likely to lead to further animosity between the pair as they battled for superiority.

However, verbal barbs have been traded since then, primarily from Strickland, who has built a reputation for being one of the most outspoken fighters within the UFC.

The 35-year-old slammed the Chechen fighter for fleeing his native country in October 2025, while also referencing his relationship with warlord and head of the Republic Ramzan Kadyrov and labelling him a “terrorist.”

Strickland also used the same term after Chimaev won the title in August 2025, before then using it again while also referencing his rival’s Islamic beliefs while trying to lay down his claim for a title shot in February 2026.

While Chimaev hasn’t been as outspoken, he has vowed to inflict damage on his opponent, whether that’s inside the cage or outside should their paths cross.

UFC taking precautions to safeguard main event

With tensions still running high in the build-up to their fight, Dana White has confirmed that the organization will break protocol for UFC 328’s main event.

Typically, a pre-fight faceoff between two fighters takes place to promote the bout, but White has confirmed that will not be happening for the next pay-per-view card to stop a fight from breaking out before both men step into the Octagon.

On top of that, there will be greater security and even police presence in place to prevent conflicts, and both men will be staying in separate hotels – showing fans just how much bad blood there is between both men.