In what could be one of the most electrifying moments in UFC history, Sean Strickland might be on the verge of matching the promotion's fastest knockout record—and it's all thanks to Khamzat Chimaev's aggressive style.

Strickland's former teammate has made a bold prediction: the former champion could finish Chimaev early in their upcoming clash, driven by the palpable tension between the two fighters. While Chimaev's last outing didn't win over the crowd, the undefeated powerhouse typically wastes no time before overwhelming his opponents. This time, however, his strategy might backfire.

Chimaev has openly stated he needs to stop Strickland after facing criticism over his fighting style. But Stephen Thompson, a seasoned UFC veteran, believes this mindset could be Chimaev's undoing. "I predict we may have another Jorge Masvidal and Ben Askren on our hands," Thompson told Ariel Helwani, drawing a parallel to Masvidal's iconic five-second flying knee knockout.

The comparison is striking. Chimaev, known for his lightning-fast takedowns, often fakes a high five or throws a single punch before shooting. Strickland, Thompson suggests, is ready for that exact moment. "He's waiting for that," Thompson explained. "Of course, if he doesn't get it, it's going to be a bad day for Strickland. But he's got that one instant where he can make it happen."

Chimaev's shaky weigh-in only added to the drama, with fans concerned about how drained he looked ahead of this middleweight title fight. Yet, it's hard to imagine the champion deviating from his usual approach—expect a takedown attempt in the opening seconds.

Should Strickland land a perfectly-timed counter, like Masvidal's flying knee, the fight could end in record time. But if he misses, the former champion might find himself on the bottom, struggling to regain control. Either way, this is a must-watch showdown for any MMA fan, and the stakes couldn't be higher.