Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev are declared rivals. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/Montage SUPER LUTAS
Known for his provocative style, Sean Strickland didn't miss the opportunity to poke fun at Khamzat Chimaev . The former middleweight champion (up to 83,9 kg) ironically suggested that the geopolitical tension involving Iran had hampered plans for a possible fight between the two on the special UFC White House card , scheduled for June 14 in Washington, DC (USA).
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Strickland took advantage of the current international political situation to take a jab at his rival. Explaining why the fight at the White House wasn't scheduled for the historic card, the American called the Chechen a "terrorist."
“I just wanted to thank Israel and Trump for when we wake up tomorrow and see a big red line. I hope some of you aren’t trying to retire while Iran has weapons of mass destruction… or wait, was it Iraq? Who knows. That’s probably why me and the terrorist aren’t being considered for the White House ticket,” the American wrote.
I would just like to thank Israel and Trump for when we wake up tomorrow and see a big redline. Hope some of you aint trying to withdraw while iran has WMDs….. Or wait iraq? Who knows.
This is probably why me and the terrorist aren't getting booked on the white house card haha
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) March 9, 2026
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The rivalry between Strickland and Chimaev only intensifies.
Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev are standouts in the UFC middleweight division. Photo montage by SUPER LUTAS.
Although they had trained together at the Xtreme Couture gym in Las Vegas, the bond between Strickland and Chimaev deteriorated over time. Former training partners, the fighters have been exchanging public taunts in recent months, transforming their former relationship into an open rivalry.
Strickland once again criticized the Chechen's behavior during training after his last fight, held at UFC Houston in February. On that occasion, the American defeated Anthony Hernandez and, during the press conference, revealed details of the time he shared the mat with his rival.
“I made him quit training. I'll tell you about this guy… Chimaev would come to the gym and always choose the smallest and weakest guy to train with. He'd say, 'this one looks like my opponent.' But he wants to fight guys from another weight class. He just runs away and hides. He did this when he trained with us and he's doing the same thing now,” he exclaimed.
On the other side of the rivalry, Chimaev is having a great run in the UFC. In his last appearance, at UFC 319 in Chicago, the fighter won the middleweight title by defeating Dricus du Plessis by unanimous decision.
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