Masvidal Unleashes on Chimaev: "You Ain't Killing Nobody by Hugging" & "Trash" Cardio

Retired UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal has launched a scathing verbal assault on Khamzat Chimaev, denouncing his fighting style and endurance ahead of Chimaev's middleweight title defense against Sean Strickland. The comments quickly gained traction across MMA social media platforms.

Masvidal's fiery remarks originated from a segment on his "Deathrow MMA" show. The former UFC veteran was responding to Chimaev's confident assertions that he could defeat Masvidal, his co-host Johnny Eblen, and Sean Strickland all in a single night, which set the tone for his strong rebuke.

Masvidal directly challenged Chimaev's wrestling-heavy approach, stating, "You ain't gonna kill nobody by hugging anybody to death. You better stop with that crotch-sniffing sh*t, especially if you're talking to me, brother. Your legacy is always going to be known for sniffing other dudes’ crotches." He further questioned Chimaev's stamina, adding, "Every time you had a chance to prove somebody wrong, all you do is sniff crotches. And instead of worrying about what I’m talking and posting about, you should be worrying about your fight, because your gas tank is trash, and Sean’s about to test your gas tank.”

Jorge Masvidal Slams Khamzat Chimaev's Style and Stamina

In the widely circulated video, Masvidal ridiculed Chimaev's wrestling-centric fighting style, dismissing its perceived danger. He reiterated that Chimaev "is not going to kill nobody by hugging anybody to death" and advised him to "stop with that crotch-sniffing" if he intended to continue speaking about him.

These particular insults align with a consistent theme in Masvidal’s public criticisms. For years, he has employed the "crotch sniffer" label to describe wrestlers whom he believes prioritize positional control over active offense rather than aiming for finishes. By applying this term to Chimaev, Masvidal places the Chechen-born fighter within a category of grapplers he has frequently disparaged throughout his UFC career.

Beyond stylistic critiques, Masvidal also cast doubt on Chimaev's ability to maintain pace through five championship rounds against Strickland. He admonished Chimaev to concentrate on his upcoming bout rather than Masvidal's online activity, declaring, "your gas tank is trash, and Sean’s about to test your gas tank." Earlier that month, Masvidal had already expressed strong support for Strickland, stating on his show that he would "dump the house on Strickland" and did not view Chimaev as "all that good."

Chimaev is slated to defend his UFC middleweight championship against former titleholder Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328, scheduled for May 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. UFC CEO Dana White officially announced this matchup in early March, confirming Strickland as Chimaev's inaugural challenger at 185 pounds. Chimaev secured the belt last August with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Dricus du Plessis, a performance characterized by relentless wrestling pressure, superior top control, and consistent ground and pound over five rounds.

Strickland, himself a former middleweight champion, earned his title shot through a series of active and crucial victories, including a recent win against Anthony Hernandez. Renowned for his high-volume jab, constant forward pressure, and formidable durability, Strickland is expected to challenge Chimaev's stamina and composure throughout the championship rounds, particularly if he can remain on his feet or consistently return there.

While it remains uncertain if Chimaev will directly address Masvidal’s recent outburst, the comments have undeniably intensified the pre-fight narrative for UFC 328. The bout now features an undefeated champion, known for his wrestling-heavy approach and often-questioned cardio, facing a challenger widely considered capable of pushing him into the exact type of grueling contest Masvidal contends he cannot endure.