New middleweight belter Sean Strickland surprised many fans with his seemingly “improved” image following his Saturday win over Khamzat Chimaev. Pre-fight antics had gotten so fierce ahead of UFC 328’s main event that the promotion engaged strict security measures. For instance, CEO Dana White reportedly lodged them in separate hotels during fight week to avoid any chaos. Reports also claimed he canceled the Paramount+ fight faceoff to avoid any potential escalation between both parties.
Shockingly, and contrary to the pre-fight tirades, both players demonstrated decent sportsmanship before and after the fight. Chimaev began his first title defense by touching gloves with Strickland before the opening bell. After the referee announced Strickland’s win, Chimaev wore Strickland’s belt in what appeared to be a concession to defeat. After the match, Strickland apologizes for his pre-fight antics, claiming they were exaggerated and personally engineered to promote the event. However, White won’t have any of Strickland’s new “image” yet.
Dana White rejects Sean Strickland’s apology after UFC 328
Strickland’s win over Chimaev joined the history records by becoming a rare two-time middleweight champion. Yet, verbal tirades almost overwhelmed the historic weekend’s highlights. Strickland possibly understood how his actions may have impacted his personal image and chose a sentimental explanation for image damage control. But White insists on Strickland’s enduring reputation as an outspoken personality who isn’t far from deeply offensive talk.
“I highly doubt we have a new and improved Sean Strickland. I’ll believe it when I see it, I’m not buying it. I don’t know how long that will last. If that’s where he’s headed now, nobody is happier than me. But I’m not buying it.”
White has spent years working with Strickland throughout his UFC career, and knows the American fighter more than most people. He made his reservations on the 32-year-old’s character after Sunday’s Zuffa Boxing event. Meanwhile, Chimaev is reportedly considering a rematch with Strickland, even after indicating plans to move up in weight-class.
After the fight, Chimaev reportedly told White he intends to move up the weight class. However, the Chechen-born fighter may have rescheduled his 205Ib-move till a future moment after a rematch with Strickland. No one knows when that will happen, just as Chimaev’s 205-pound debut has no foreseeable date at the moment.
