Sean Strickland credits Khamzat Chimaev for some ‘good f-cking wars’ in the gym

UFC middleweight Sean Strickland speaks to reporters at the UFC on ESPN 23 post-fight press conference following his decision win over Krzysztof Jotko. | Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

“He doesn’t stop, he trains f*cking hard. He’s another guy if you’re fighting him, it has to be to the death”.

UFC middleweight Sean Strickland has heaped praise on welterweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev following the latter’s recent trip to Las Vegas, revealing that they had some ‘good f-cking wars’ in the gym.

Strickland, who is on a four-fight win streak, credited Chimaev for his strong work ethic ahead of ‘Borz’s’ welterweight bout against Li Jingliang at UFC 264, claiming that he is one of the best training partners he’s ever had.

“He was in town for a few weeks, man (in Las Vegas),” Strickland said of Chimaev in a recent interview with MMA News’ James Lynch (h/t BJPenn.com). “He was fun. We had good f*cking wars. He’s the kind of guy that, as far as a training partner goes, he fits the bill for me. He doesn’t stop, he trains f*cking hard. He’s another guy if you’re fighting him, it has to be to the death. You can’t go in there thinking, ‘I’m going to point fight you and win.’ Like no, you have to go in there saying ‘one of us is going to die.’ If you don’t have that mindset, he’s going to f*cking steamroll you”.

Chimaev has been sidelined for the last year due to long-term coronavirus symptoms, but the Swede has reportedly fully recovered and will look to return to form when he takes on Jingliang on Oct. 30 at a TBA venue Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He is regarded by UFC president Dana White as one of the most promising welterweight and middleweight prospects in the UFC.

“This kid is special. He’s different than any fighter I’ve ever seen. I’ve been in the business for a very long time, I’ve seen a lot of greats come and go. This kid is absolutely special and I’ve never seen anything like it.”