Khamzat Chimaev has traveled the world and trained with many different teams and fighters in his quest to become the undisputed UFC champion.
Khamzat Chimaev’s MMA journey began in Sweden where he began training at the Allstar Training Center in Stockholm, with the likes of former UFC title challenger Alexander Gustafsson and Ilir Latifi.
Once “Borz” became a juggernaut in the cage and found his way to the UFC, he then began visiting different gyms to improve his game.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zova LLC Khamzat Chimaev details training with Sean Strickland as he looks to clinch his title
In addition to regularly training with former UFC star, Darren Till, Chimaev detailed past training sessions with former middleweight champion and current challenger, Sean Strickland.
Although Chimaev is set to face Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 next Saturday, even with his win over ‘The Reaper’, he may not find himself as a fighter to challenge Dricus Du Plessis.
UFC CEO Dana White recently revealed that the promotion is planning a Du Plessis rematch with Strickland in February 2025, delaying Chimaev’s title charge.
However, ahead of the biggest fight of his career to date, ‘Borse’ detailed what Strickland’s sparring sessions were like.
“I think things are going well now for Du Plessis, I think he’s more motivated to get more money and he’s happy with that, so he’ll fight for his belt, with Shawn there, I don’t think he cares if he wins or loses,” Chimaev told Michael Bisping. “He just fights and has money.”
“We sparred with (Strickland) and trained with him so I don’t know, we were good when we were in the gym but when I get back to Sweden he starts tweeting and doing some things, he does that.” I don’t like when I said I took him out… (yes I took him out) a few times, choking, and different things, you know.
Chimaev continued: “He is good, his strength is good, he is a good fighter, but he is a strong man, a strong man but I said what everyone sees in the gym, that’s it.”
Chimaev wants to fight for the title in any weight class by winning at UFC 308
Since his UFC debut in 2020, the 30-year-old has weighed between 170lbs and 185lbs, and his recent move up to middleweight appears to be something the UFC advised after his ongoing weight loss.
Having said that, with him likely not getting the next middleweight title shot, even with a win over Whittaker, ‘Burs’ has claimed he will return to welterweight to fight for the title, or even move up to light heavyweight to win. On Alex Pereira.
Current champion Belal Muhammad is set to make his first title defense at UFC 310 when he faces Shavkat Rakhmonov.
“I want to fight for the title, it doesn’t matter what weight class, Shawkat and this guy (Muhammad) will fight for the title and then Du Plessis will fight for the title, and Alex (Pereira) will fight with someone, I don’t know.
“Of course, I’ve always been open (to fighting Pereira) so I know stylistically this match for me is much easier than the other guys. “I’m honest with my striking, I know the guy can knock me out… but I’m one of the best fighters and grapplers,” she muses. Chimaev has the idea of fighting Alex Pereira on his mind.
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