Overview
- Khamzat Chimaev shared a 26‑second sparring video with Sean Strickland on Tuesday, captioned “I am bullying weak people.”
- The brief clip drew widespread mockery from fans online, who said it showed little and did not back claims of dominance.
- UFC CEO Dana White canceled any pre‑fight face‑off and ordered heightened security for fight week, with steps to keep the rivals apart.
- Chimaev dismissed Strickland’s gun threats during media day, saying “I will be happy to die” and insisting the extra security is not for him.
- Strickland kept up hostile rhetoric by calling Chimaev a “coward” and attacking Eastern Muslim fighters, while betting markets still price Chimaev as a heavy favorite for Saturday’s Newark title fight.