Khamzat Chimaev isn't a fan of Sean Strickland's relentless trash talk, but he's learning to love the payout it's bringing. As the two middleweights prepare to clash at UFC 328 this Saturday, Chimaev admits that every insult Strickland hurls his way seems to add another zero to his paycheck.
The tension between these two fighters has been simmering for months. Strickland, never one to hold back, has used every word in the book to take shots at Chimaev. But instead of firing back, Chimaev has stayed cool and focused, promising to let his fists do the talking inside the octagon. Yet behind that calm exterior, there's a practical side that's hard to ignore: the hype is paying off big time.
"I love him," Chimaev told reporters during a scrum on Tuesday, including MMA Fighting. "I don't know if they pay him well for it. But the important thing is, I've never made this much money before. That's good."
The UFC has gone to great lengths to keep these two apart before fight night. Extra security has been hired, and the fighters have been housed in separate hotels to prevent any pre-fight fireworks. Chimaev admits he's been keeping an eye out for Strickland since landing in New Jersey, but so far, the promotion's efforts have paid off.
"Let him come," Chimaev said with a shrug. "I think they took him to another hotel, so maybe that's why. I tried to find the guy, but it's not that personal. He just talks too much. I don't think anything will happen because they won't let me see him."
Chimaev also brushed off Strickland's earlier threat about bringing a gun if he gets jumped during fight week. While such talk is typical pre-fight bluster, Chimaev isn't losing any sleep over it. For him, the only thing that matters is what happens when the cage door closes on Saturday night.
In a sport where trash talk often drives the narrative, Chimaev is taking the high road—and cashing in while doing it. Whether you're cheering for him or against him, one thing's clear: this fight is shaping up to be a can't-miss event for MMA fans everywhere.