Ahead of UFC 328, Khamzat Chimaev has been making headlines as the -425 favorite to retain his belt against challenger Sean Strickland. However, despite the odds being in his favor, former UFC star Michael Bisping has some words of caution for the current middleweight champion.
In an interview with ESPN, Bisping expressed his concerns about Chimaev’s game plan and advised him to make some changes before stepping into the octagon against Strickland. Bisping believes that Chimaev’s current approach may not be enough to secure a victory against the tough and experienced Strickland.
Bisping stated, “I think Chimaev is a little bit scared. He’s a little bit worried about Strickland’s striking. He’s worried about getting hit. He’s worried about getting knocked out. And I think that’s why he’s trying to take him down so much.”
Bisping’s comments may come as a surprise to many, considering Chimaev’s dominant performances in his previous fights. The Swedish fighter has quickly risen through the ranks with his impressive record of 9-0 and has become a fan favorite with his aggressive style and knockout power.
However, Bisping believes that Chimaev’s reliance on his striking and knockout abilities may not be enough against Strickland, who is known for his well-rounded skills and durability inside the cage.
Bisping further added, “I think he needs to mix it up a little bit more. He needs to use his wrestling, use his grappling, and then mix in the striking. If he just goes in there and tries to strike with Strickland, I think he’s going to come up short.”
Bisping’s advice to Chimaev is not without merit. Strickland is a seasoned fighter with a record of 23-3 and has been in the UFC since 2014. He has faced some of the toughest opponents in the middleweight division and has proven his ability to adapt to different styles and strategies.
Chimaev, on the other hand, has only been in the UFC for a little over a year and has yet to face an opponent of Strickland’s caliber. While his striking has been impressive so far, it may not be enough to overcome Strickland’s well-rounded skill set.
Bisping’s words of caution may serve as a wake-up call for Chimaev to refine his game plan and not underestimate his opponent. The UFC is a highly competitive and unpredictable sport, and anything can happen inside the octagon.
Chimaev’s coach, Ali Abdelaziz, has also acknowledged Bisping’s comments and stated that they are taking them seriously. He said, “We’re not taking Strickland lightly. We’re not taking anybody lightly. We’re going to go out there and do our job.”
Chimaev himself has not responded to Bisping’s comments, but he has shown confidence in his abilities and has promised to put on a show for the fans. He said, “I’m going to go in there and do my thing. I’m going to knock him out. I’m going to submit him. I’m going to do whatever I want.”
The highly anticipated fight between Chimaev and Strickland is set to take place at UFC 328 on October 30th. It will be interesting to see if Chimaev takes Bisping’s advice and makes the necessary adjustments to secure a victory or if Strickland will prove to be too much for the rising star.
In the end, it all comes down to who will execute their game plan better on fight night. One thing is for sure, this fight has all the makings of an exciting and unpredictable showdown between two talented fighters.
