Middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev has indicated he has no intention of going overboard when he faces Sean Strickland at UFC 328. While the UFC is taking extra precautions to prevent any pre-fight altercations, Chimaev himself has stated that he will adhere to his personal principles during the fight.
UFC President Dana White has confirmed that measures are being implemented to keep Chimaev and Strickland separated during fight week, including lodging them in different hotels and increasing security to prevent any confrontations. White also suggested that pre-fight promotional events like face-offs and photoshoots between the former training partners, now bitter rivals, should be avoided.
However, Chimaev, often referred to as “Borz,” conveyed in a recent interview that he simply wants to compete and that he’ll handle the situation as it unfolds. He also commented on Strickland’s perceived lack of a strong team, noting that Strickland primarily works with coach Eric Nicksick and humorously suggested that Nicksick might even like Chimaev more.
Addressing the possibility of submitting Sean Strickland at UFC 328, Chimaev clarified that he would not seek to “kill” his opponent, referring to such actions as “haram” (forbidden in Islam). He believes that even if he were to achieve a submission, security would prevent him from causing excessive harm.
Chimaev then drew a distinction between the octagon and a street fight, stating, “Out on the street, that’s different. If he dies, he dies. But in the cage, it’s sports.” This implies that while he respects the rules of the sport, any personal encounters outside the controlled environment of the octagon could have a different outcome.
English Translation and Paraphrased Text
Khamzat Chimaev Rules Out Finishing Sean Strickland Violently at UFC 328, Cites Religious Beliefs
Khamzat Chimaev, a prominent middleweight fighter, has stated his intention to avoid excessive force during his upcoming bout against Sean Strickland at UFC 328. Chimaev has indicated that his religious beliefs will guide his actions, preventing him from intentionally causing severe harm to his opponent within the confines of the fight.
UFC management is reportedly taking significant steps to ensure a peaceful fight week, including separate accommodations for Chimaev and Strickland and heightened security measures. The organization is also considering skipping traditional pre-fight promotional events like face-offs to minimize potential friction between the two fighters.
Chimaev, known as “Borz,” expressed his primary focus on the fight itself. He also made a lighthearted comment regarding Sean Strickland’s team, suggesting it’s quite small and primarily consists of his coach, Eric Nicksick.
When questioned about potentially finishing Strickland with a submission, Chimaev emphasized that he would not attempt to “kill” him, describing such an act as religiously forbidden (“haram”). He believes the security present would also prevent any such extreme actions inside the octagon.
However, Chimaev drew a clear line between the controlled environment of a professional fight and a potential confrontation on the street, suggesting that his reaction in a street fight could be significantly different, adding, “If he dies, he dies. But in the cage, it’s sports.”
