Khamzat Chimaev thought he was sending a message—but the MMA world isn't buying it.

The reigning UFC middleweight champion, set to defend his title for the first time at UFC 328 in Newark, posted a 26-second clip of an old sparring session with Sean Strickland. But instead of intimidation, the footage has drawn mostly mockery from fans.

This isn't just any rivalry. Chimaev and Strickland have traded insults for months, building one of the most personal feuds in the sport. The tension traces back to 2022, when Chimaev visited Xtreme Couture and shared the mats with Strickland for the first time. Rumors about that session have circulated ever since—some saying the striking was close, others claiming Chimaev dominated on the ground with submissions. But actual footage? That stayed under wraps—until now.

In the clip, Chimaev appears to land a couple of shots to Strickland's head. He captioned the post with a laughing emoji and the words: "I am bullying weak people." The dig appeared aimed at Strickland's past comments about preferring to spar with less experienced fighters.

But the response from fans was swift—and brutal. Over 600,000 views later, the consensus is clear: this wasn't the flex Chimaev hoped for.

"You did absolutely nothing kid," one commenter wrote. "You're DEAD Saturday." Another added: "You didn't even land a shot sorry a------." One more chimed in: "Bro you hardly landed one punch."

Of course, fighters sometimes release gym footage that makes them look less dominant—whether to bait opponents or downplay expectations. But if Chimaev was looking to rattle Strickland, this clip may have backfired. With UFC 328 just days away, the real test will come when the cage door closes.