Sean Strickland is set to challenge Khamzat Chimaev for the middleweight championship at UFC 328, taking place on Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Strickland has never been submitted throughout his mixed martial arts career, a notable achievement as he has faced tough opponents. Strickland carries a record of 30 wins and 7 losses, with 17 of those victories in the UFC.
Facing Off Against Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev brings a perfect professional record of 15 wins and no losses, including 9 victories in the UFC. A key element of Chimaev’s fighting style is his impressive grappling, with six of his professional wins achieved by submission. He has notably tapped out high-profile fighters like Kevin Holland and Robert Whittaker using his wrestling skills.
The Unique Submission Record of Strickland
Despite Chimaev’s submission prowess, Strickland has a unique distinction: no fighter has even attempted to submit him. Strickland attributes this to his fighting style. “Submissions are f*cking gay. I’m sad that I potentially have to deal with a guy who wants to dry hump my leg,” Strickland stated during UFC 328 media day. He prefers to avoid being on his back in fights and remains focused on offensive techniques.
Previous Challenges and Resilience
- Strickland was taken down six times in his recent title loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297.
- Despite those takedowns, no submission attempts were made against him.
- He has faced other formidable grapplers, such as Kamaru Usman and Brendan Allen.
As Strickland prepares for this championship bout, he remains confident in his ability to defend against Chimaev’s grappling. His experience against tough opponents will be essential in this high-stakes match-up.
