Chael Sonnen predicts Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland

Former UFC star Chael Sonnen has said that the most prolific finisher in the promotion, Khamzat Chimaev, would not knock out Sean Strickland.

Earlier this month, UFC CEO Dana White announced that Strickland will challenge Chimaev at UFC 328 on May 9.

This will be undefeated Chimaev’s first title defence, who won the gold when he defeated Dricus Du Plessis after a commanding performance at UFC 319 in August 2025 at the United Center.

The Chechen-born fighter earned a unanimous decision win, with all three judges scoring the contest 50-44 in his favour.

Khamzat is considered one of the best finishers in the UFC. He has won six fights by knockout, with five of them coming in the first round.

However, former UFC star turned analyst Sonnen has predicted that Khamzat Chimaev would not finish Sean Strickland.

"If [Chimaev] got [Strickland] out of there quickly, that would surprise me. If he finished him at all, it would surprise me,” Sonnen said.

“Strickland is made for long-distance, hard matches. Strickland does his best work, by the way, when he is counted out. He doesn't get counted out a lot. I mean, he was a six-to-one underdog against Izzy [Israel Adesanya], he is only a four-to-one underdog here. He won all five rounds against Izzy.

"There is something about that relieving of pressure and expectation that Sean rises to. I don't know how that fight's going to go, but, yeah, Sean is the guy for sure. If Sean is not the best fighter in the world, he is the second best."