Two of MMA's biggest names are throwing their weight behind Sean Strickland ahead of UFC 328, and one of them is literally putting his money where his mouth is.

Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo has placed a $1,000 bet on Strickland to upset the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev in the main event at Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia. Cejudo, speaking on the Pound4Pound podcast alongside Kamaru Usman, explained why he believes Strickland's unorthodox style could be the key to solving the Chimaev puzzle.

"I personally feel like the jab, the teep kick, and the fact that his style is just a little bit different could be problematic for a guy like Khamzat Chimaev," Cejudo said. "Styles make fights. Yes, Sean Strickland did lose to Dricus du Plessis, but this is different. Sean Strickland has shown that if you do take him down, he gets back up to his feet."

The former middleweight champion enters as a significant underdog at +425 odds, meaning a $100 bet would net $425 if he pulls off the win. But Cejudo sees value in that number. "I feel like we are gonna hear 'And new!' I like those f—ing odds. You know, I can bet now. I am retired. I'm gonna put $1,000 on that. I'm gonna go big, dude."

Usman, still an active UFC welterweight and therefore unable to place bets, admitted he'd be tempted by the same wager if he could. While the former champion favors Chimaev overall, he recognizes the value in backing Strickland given the wide gap in odds.

"You could put $1,000 on it," Usman said. "That's too rich for my blood, as you know, I have children. I will go $250 on Sean Strickland just because it's a good bet. But I'm picking Khamzat Chimaev to win."

It's a tall order for Strickland, who faces the 15-0 Russian phenom in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown. But with backing from two former champions, the underdog has more than just hope on his side heading into fight night.