Controversial loudmouth Sean Strickland recently asked welterweight star Khamzat Chimaev to go easy during sparring sessions. This is awfully ironic considering the fact that Strickland is widely known for going overboard in sparring.
Sean Strickland last competed in the octagon back in June against Alex Pereira at UFC 276. Strickland got knocked out early in the first round, ending his 6 win streak. Strickland is back on his feet and training.
The 31-year-old recently had a training session at the XTreme Couture gym in Las Vegas with some infamous friends and colleagues. Strickland trained alongside European residents Darren Till and Khamzat Chimaev.
On one occasion, Sean Strickland reminded Chimaev to go easy during training and avoid hurting people.
“He gets a little bit … a little bit … be nice! Khamzat, understand: you’re better than most … you’re better than everybody. Don’t hurt people.” Strickland said.
Strickland made headlines a while back after several videos of him sparring session spread online. The footage showed Strickland having borderline altercations on the mat.
During a grappling session with jiu-jitsu world champion Orlando Sanchez, ‘Tarzan’ even threw a punch and kick. In this particular case Strickland might not be entirely to blame.
In a separate video, he knocked his partner out with a head kick. Strickland justified his intensity by explaining he told his sparring partner that he is going to be serious.
Chimaev was also heavily criticized for his training antics. According to UFC champion Jiri Procahzka, Chimaev went too hard in training resulting in one of his ribs cracking.
Following the training, Chimaev said he injured Prochazka’s ribs and boasted about it.
“I want a title, and it doesn’t matter what the title is. I can also fight for the 93 kilogram belt. Who’s fighting over there now? Two guys… Glover and Jiri Prochazka. He [Jiri] was also at our gym. He knows me. He knows what I can do. Ask the guy how his sparring with Khamzat went. He will tell you. I can also fight with these guys.”
Prochazka confirmed his rib cracked:
