Chael Sonnen reveals Strickland text after Chimaev's brutal UFC 308 win

C. Sonnen showed text he received from Strickland about Chimaev's victory in UFC 308. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

PUBLICITY:

Khanzat Chimaev ran over the former middleweight champion (up to 83,9 kg.) Robert whittaker in the co-main event of UFC 308, which took place last Saturday (26), in Abu Dhabi. After the brutal knockout of the Russian, Chael Sonnen got in touch with Sean Strickland immediately. In the program Good Guy/Bad Guy on YouTube, led by former fighter Daniel Cormier, Sonnen read a text message he received from Strickland after Chimaev's incredible performance.

“‘How closed were you, Sean?’ And that’s what I asked him, and I’m going to make this public, you’re going to make me look good if you give me a quote that you haven’t given to anyone else. Here’s what he eventually said:

“And I quote, ‘I’m next in line. It’s been said, it’s been written’ — I wish he had elaborated on that. ‘After I defeat Dricus, Chimaev can step up. And as far as Chimaev being a contender, I get that, but I have Dricus next. The man who deceived his (fans), befriended a dictator and had to flee his homeland while still on the run needs to tighten his own leash a little. Hey, Chimaev, sit back and wait your turn.”

See too

Jon Jones faces court and defends himself against accusations on the eve of UFC 309: understand the case

BMF belt curse? Champions rack up losses after winning symbolic UFC title

Former champion claims Ilia Topuria can knock out Islam Makhachev

Dana White has repeatedly said that Strickland would be next in line against Du Plessis. In January, at UFC 297 , Dricus won the middleweight title in a very close decision victory. In his first title defense, Du Plessis won Israel adesanya No. UFC 305, in August. Strickland, ranked 1st, defeated Paulo Costa in a five-round fight at UFC 302, in June.

With the win over Whittaker, Chimaev jumped from 13th to 3rd. For Sonnen, it would be understandable if Dana White and the UFC changed their minds regarding Dricus' next opponent.

“His second victory over (former) world champions in as many fights, and, oh, by the way, from two different weight classes in Kamaru Usman e Robert whittaker. Yes, this is something amazing, but from what I understand, Sean Strickland is next,” concluded Sonnen.

Chimaev defeated Whittaker in the UFC 308. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC