Ray Sefo says Sean Strickland’s hostile build-up with Khamzat Chimaev was enterprise, not a everlasting private feud. In keeping with Strickland’s coach, the newly topped UFC middleweight champion believed he needed to flip up the amount to safe the title shot.
Strickland spent the lead-up to UFC 328 buying and selling sharp feedback with Chimaev, feeding a rivalry that some followers later questioned after the 2 males embraced as soon as the struggle was over. Sefo says there’s a easy clarification for the change in tone: Strickland wanted to make the struggle occur.
“Sean is definitely a very good man,” Kickboxing nice Sefo stated in an unique interview forward of SENSHI 33. “He simply will get, typically he will get forward of himself, proper?”
Ray Sefo Explains Why Sean Strickland Turned Up the Warmth on Khamzat Chimaev
The feedback got here after Strickland upset Chimaev by break up resolution to regain the UFC middleweight belt. The Might 9 primary occasion at Prudential Middle in Newark went the complete 5 rounds, with Strickland successful 48-47 on two playing cards whereas Chimaev obtained a 48-47 rating on the third. It was Chimaev’s first skilled defeat, and Strickland’s second run as UFC champion at 185 kilos.
The trash speak grew to become one of many primary speaking factors earlier than the struggle. Strickland’s strategy was harsh and infrequently private, and he saved the strain on by struggle week. But when the outcome was official, the hostility disappeared. Chimaev put the championship belt round Strickland after the choice, and the pair shared a calmer second contained in the cage.
For Sefo, that didn’t imply the promotion was a lie. He says it was Strickland’s method of forcing consideration towards a struggle he needed.
“And within the final struggle towards Khamzat Chimaev, he stated, ‘Pay attention, that was the one method I may promote the struggle,’” Sefo defined. “It was the one approach to get that struggle was to be outlandish.”
Strickland has by no means introduced himself as a standard promoter. His media appearances are likely to swing between blunt jokes, heated remarks and unfiltered opinions. On this case, Sefo believes the habits had a goal. Chimaev entered the competition because the unbeaten champion and betting favourite, whereas Strickland wanted a hook.
Sefo believes Chimaev has a good argument for an instantaneous rematch, however provided that he intends to stay at middleweight.
“I feel if Khamzat decides to remain on the division, then I feel he may deserve the, you realize, the rematch,” Sefo stated. “If he stays. If he goes up a weight division, then I’m not 100% certain who’s subsequent.”
Sefo was talking earlier than SENSHI 33, an occasion accessible on DAZN that options an eight-man mild heavyweight Grand Prix.
