Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland explained why he declined to fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC on ABC 6 on June 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Strickland said in an interview with SHAK MMA's YouTube channel:
A fight with Chimaev? Nah, I wouldn't go to Saudi Arabia. Hang out with a bunch of burqas, I'm a good man...Something about burqas and no bikinis and sh*t, doesn't sound like my place.
Strickland's next fight will be against Paulo Costa at UFC 302, which takes place on the night of June 2 in Newark, USA. In January of this year, Sean suffered a split decision loss to Dricus du Plessis. Strickland has 28 wins and six losses on his record.
Chimaev last stepped into the octagon against Kamaru Usman in October 2023 at UFC 294. That fight went the full distance and ended in favor of Khamzat by decision. He has 13 wins and no losses on his record.