Khamzat Chimaev reacts with training post after Sean Strickland defeat highlighted weakness

[ASFN Admin]

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Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Khamzat Chimaev entered his first UFC middleweight title defence against Sean Strickland as a huge favourite, but left with the first loss of his professional MMA career.

Strickland took the belt by split decision, surviving Chimaev’s early wrestling success before forcing the champion into extended striking exchanges, a shift that proved decisive.

Now pushing for a rematch, ‘Borz’ has started to show how he plans to respond, with fresh training footage already appearing online.

Khamzat Chimaev sharpens striking after Sean Strickland loss​

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Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Last Saturday, Chimaev posted an Instagram video focused on striking work, a notable detail given how his title reign ended.

His stand-up game was seen as a clear weakness in the first fight, even if it was not the only factor behind his defeat.

Questions also lingered over Chimaev’s weight cut, with doubts over whether the process left him drained after the opening round.

Despite that, his early success showed why his wrestling remains a real threat if any rematch leans heavily in that direction.

In a grappling-heavy fight, Chimaev would still be expected to have a strong route to at least outpointing Strickland over key stretches.


But Strickland survived that storm, adjusted, and dragged the fight into the area where he looked sharper and more comfortable.

That is why Chimaev’s striking video feels more important than routine gym footage. It points directly to the gap he must close before a rematch can favour him.

For the Chechen star, the road back is not just about demanding another shot. It is about proving he has addressed the weakness Strickland exposed.

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