UFC 319 is in the books after a wild night at the United Center in Chicago, and it delivered everything fans expected and then some. Khamzat Chimaev ripped the middleweight belt from Dricus du Plessis with ruthless dominance, chaining takedowns, smothering control, and ground pressure. Sean Strickland, who previously fought du Plessis in a rematch at UFC 312, but falling short on the scorecards, made it clear he was studying the action.
Sean Strickland Fires Off After Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC 319 Victory originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Strickland believes he’s the only fighter who can push Chimaev on the ground
UFC 319 is in the books after a wild night at the United Center in Chicago, and it delivered everything fans expected and then some. The main event wasn’t just a title fight—it was a statement. Khamzat Chimaev ripped the middleweight belt from Dricus du Plessis with ruthless dominance, chaining takedowns, smothering control, and ground pressure. It was the kind of performance that had fans shocked, but also had one former champion leaning forward with ideas of his own.
Sean Strickland, who previously fought du Plessis in a rematch at UFC 312, but falling short on the scorecards, made it clear he was studying the action.
In his view, despite Chimaev’s dominance, he remains convinced that no one in the UFC can match him in grappling exchanges. In a post shared on X, Strickland wrote: 'I’m probably the only one in the UFC that can out grapple that little whore for 5 rounds… Well looks like I gotta stack some Ws to fight that little bitch lmao.'
Im probably the only one in the UFC that can out grapple that little whore for 5 rounds....
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 17, 2025
Well looks like I gotta stack some Ws to fight that little bitch lmao
While Strickland has built his name primarily on striking volume and relentless pressure, he’s proven difficult to take down. His defensive grappling stood out against opponents like Abus Magomedov and Jack Hermansson, where he neutralized dangerous ground games.
The challenge for Strickland now is outside the cage. He’s serving an indefinite suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission after storming into the cage and physically confronting a fighter at a Tuff-N-Uff event in Las Vegas in June. Until he clears that hurdle, any potential matchup with Chimaev remains hypothetical. Still, his message was clear: if he gets the chance, Strickland believes he’s the man to test the new champion where he’s strongest.
Related: Dustin Poirier Set for New Chapter at UFC 319
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
