"Khamzat Chimaev is just a f** c**": UFC star unleashes brutal jab at Borz, and it's not Dricus du Plessis

UFC 319 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated cards of the year, with undefeated powerhouse Khamzat Chimaev set to challenge Dricus du Plessis for the undisputed UFC middleweight title on August 16. While the MMA world is buzzing with predictions and breakdowns, one voice has risen above the noise — and it's laced with venom.

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has reignited his long-standing feud with Chimaev, unleashing a scathing attack that’s making waves across the fight community. In a brutally honest interview with Red Corner MMA, Strickland didn’t hold back.

“Chimaev is just a f*** c***. I was there when he retired from COVID. I was training with him. There’s a video of me, I was like, ‘Oh, you’re so good, you’re better than everybody,’ like I’m being sarcastic.”

A rivalry forged in the gym

Though not as publicly hyped as other UFC rivalries, Strickland and Chimaev’s disdain for one another runs deep. The two were once sparring partners, and their time training together appears to have left a bitter aftertaste — at least for Sean Strickland. He’s accused Khamzat Chimaev of going too hard on lesser opponents in the gym, suggesting it reflects poorly on his mindset.

“You can pick high-level UFC fighters, but you’re picking 1–1 because you think he’s the same height as your opponent. No dude, you’re picking him because you’re a b**, dude. Mentally, he’s just a weak man.”

These harsh words come just weeks before Chimaev’s most important bout to date, as he prepares to face a reigning champion in Dricus du Plessis, who’s known for his grit, durability, and relentless pace.

Is Khamzat Chimaev mentally bulletproof?

Despite the criticism, Khamzat Chimaev remains undefeated at 14-0 and has bulldozed most of his opponents, with the notable exception of Gilbert Burns, who pushed him to the brink in a fight-of-the-year contender at UFC 273. The narrative surrounding Chimaev has largely painted him as invincible, but Sean Strickland’s comments have introduced a new talking point, mental fortitude.

Whether the Chechen-born fighter can handle the pressure of a title fight and silence his critics will be revealed on August 16. But if he manages to get past Dricus du Plessis, a heated title defense against Strickland could be on the horizon, and the build-up promises to be as explosive as the fight itself.