The upcoming title bout at UFC 328 between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland stands as one of the most anticipated grudge matches in recent memory, given their history.
Their styles also present a sharp contrast, with differing approaches likely to define the contest. UFC veterans Dustin Poirier and Jorge Masvidal have recently weighed in on Strickland's preparation for Chimaev's suffocating wrestling.
Chimaev is widely regarded as one of the most dominant wrestlers on the current UFC roster, having trained since childhood in Chechnya. He has further sharpened his grappling skills by working in elite camps around the world. That dominance was evident in his middleweight title win over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, where 'Borz' controlled almost 22 of the 25 minutes and secured 50-44 on all three scorecards.
On the other hand, Strickland brings a sharply contrasting skill set, built largely around unorthodox striking and constant offensive pressure. Questions have been raised about how effective that style will be against Chimaev, who is known to pursue takedowns early in fights. However, Poirier has indicated he has been in contact with Strickland's camp and noted that he has been consistently working on his wrestling.
I know some guys—good wrestlers—who are working with Sean, and they said it's legit. He can get back up. He's hard to hold down.
Dustin Poirier via UFC on ParamountMasvidal, on the other hand, has held a strong stance on this matchup even before it was announced. The former BMF champion had long believed that Strickland would defeat Chimaev without much doubt. He also previously suggested that the Chechen phenom might avoid the fight due to their past relationship as training partners. He has now reinforced his view by pointing to Strickland's training sessions.
Chimaev is a completely different animal than anybody Strickland has fought. But the guys who are closer to Chimaev in that realm—Strickland has handled them well. It's really hard to hold this guy down. I've seen it with my own eyes in training, practicing with heavyweights, even going with them. And I've seen it in fights.
Jorge Masvidal via UFC on ParamountHowever, the pattern being seen now is nothing new in the MMA landscape. Many within the community previously believed DDP could surprise Chimaev with his wrestling, while also posing a threat on the feet due to his striking advantage. As the fight began, 'Borz' quickly removed any uncertainty by securing an early takedown and maintaining control, consistently applying ground-and-pound across all five rounds.
Strickland's work with wrestlers contrasts with what has been visible in his recent training footage. He has often been seen working alongside striking specialists like Alex Pereira and Francis Ngannou, indicating a continued emphasis on stand-up. However, this contrast may be strategic, as it remains unclear whether he is quietly improving his wrestling behind closed doors to prepare for the Chechen star.
Ever since Khabib Nurmagomedov's era of undefeated dominance, the UFC has seen a surge of fighters from the Caucasus region asserting control. This wave has reshaped divisions, with grappling-heavy approaches becoming increasingly effective. Such styles often leave little room for opponents, as relentless wrestling and control-based tactics have proven difficult to overcome.
Khamzat Chimaev stands as one of the clearest examples of this trend, with the Chechen star remaining undefeated while achieving rapid success in the UFC. His dominance has reinforced the effectiveness of grappling-heavy styles. Chael Sonnen has weighed in on how a potential loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 328 could disrupt the aura of invincibility surrounding fighters from the Caucasus region.
Strickland is the last hope. He is the last line of defense between the martial arts community and having to watch Chimaev for the next period of time. I remember warning the UFC…the Russians are coming… Unless you want a whole bunch of guys coming in with beards and no mustaches, taking all your belts away, the only way to stop them is to not give them the opportunity. I can tell you, this culture is a different level of toughness, and Strickland really is our last line of defense.
Chael Sonnen via The Ariel Helwani ShowUFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has previously addressed this trend, pointing to the discipline many Russian fighters maintain throughout their lives as a factor in their success. That structure has often been viewed as an edge over other contenders who may not follow the same approach. It now remains to be seen whether Sean Strickland can emerge as the fighter who challenges that belief.
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