Khamzat Chimaev casually claims he submitted Sean Strickland "many times" during training: "He didn’t like when I said I tapped him out"

Khamzat Chimaev recently opened up about his past training sessions with Sean Strickland, claiming he usually got the better of the former UFC middleweight champion. He noted that 'Tarzan' got upset after he previously disclosed that he submitted him.

'Borz' will attempt to insert his name in the title conversations this Saturday, when he takes on former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the UFC 308 co-main event. On the other hand, Strickland is reportedly next in line to challenge Dricus du Plessis for the middleweight championship in a rematch of their encounter in January. If Chimaev can get his hand raised and 'Tarzan' regains the title, both fighters could be on a collision course.

While speaking to Michael Bisping, 'Borz' shared his experiences training and sparring with 'Tarzan'. Chimaev mentioned that they got along when they trained together, but confirmed that he did submit Strickland on several occasions:

"Yeah, we sparred with [Strickland], we trained with that guy and I don't know, we've been good when we've been in the gym. When I [went] back to Sweden, he start tweet and do some things... Yeah, he didn't like when I said I tapped him out... Yeah, [I submitted him] many times, bro... [I got him with] chokes, different things... but he's a good fighter. He's tough guy, tough dude."

Check out the full interview with Khamzat Chimaev below (6:02):

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Khamzat Chimaev expresses interest in title fight should he defeat Robert Whittaker

Khamzat Chimaev, who has successfully competed at both middleweight and welterweight, could position himself as the next 185-pound title challenger should he earn an impressive win over Robert Whittaker.

In the aforementioned interview, Chimaev expressed interest in a title shot, but mentioned that he wouldn't be opposed to it being for the welterweight championship if it means he can fight sooner:

"I want [to] fight for the title. Doesn't matter which weight class. Shavkat [Rakhmonov] and [Belal Muhammad are] gonna fight for the [welterweight] title. And then, [Dricus] du Plessis [and Sean Strickland are] gonna fight for the [middleweight] title... I will stay there and wait for my belt."

Check out the UFC 308 promo featuring Khamzat Chimaev below (6:57):