KHAMZAT CHIMAEV has broken his silence following his shock loss to Sean Strickland.
The Russian’s reign as middleweight king came to a shock end at the hands of his former training partner last Jattvibeday morning in the main event of UFC 328.
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Khamzat Chimaev locked horns with Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 Credit: REUTERS
The Russian suffered a stunning split-decision defeat to the controversial two-time champ Credit: GETTY
Strickland, 35, edged a thrilling five-rounder via split decision to become a two-time 185lbs champion.
Chimaev showed his class after the war by wrapping the belt around Strickland’s waist.
But he proceeded to leave the cage shortly afterwards and snubbed the traditional post-fight interview former champions are given.
The Chechen, however, didn’t stay silent for long on his first professional defeat.
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Khamzat Chimaev stormed out of the cage without giving a an interview Credit: UFC
The Russian broke his silence on his maiden defeat on social media
He took to Twitter a few hours after the fight to seemingly call for a rematch with the controversial fan favourite.
He wrote on X: “@SStricklandMMA see you again soon 🫡..”
Chimaev’s posturing for a rematch seemingly goes against what he immediately told UFC supremo Dana White as he made his way backstage.
During the post-fight press conference, White revealed: “He literally walked up to me and said, ‘I wanna move up.
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“‘I don’t wanna fight in this weight class.’ Him moving up is exciting.
“Ever since Fight Island, he’s gone on a run, he’s undefeated, won the world title.
“Did everything he said he would do. But with the level of success and lifestyle, it makes it tough. He was the f***ing champion.
“When you see somebody for the first time and you’re like, ‘Wow, this guy’s special,’ and they become a world champion in the UFC, yeah, I would say [he has potential to do it again], 100 per cent.
On Chimaev’s performance, he said: “I think Khamzat had a rough weight cut.
“He’s a tough guy, he’s a f**ing savage, I would expect him not to roll over and quit.”
