- Sean Strickland’s coach Eric Nicksick is aware that a title fight with Khamzat Chimaev is possible
- Nicksick suggests that “Tarzan” did better than “Borz” during their sparring sessions
Coach Eric Nicksick shared his thoughts on the possible Sean Strickland vs. Khamzat Chimaev title fight and also lifted the lid on the pair’s sparring sessions in the past.
It’s the other way around
Speaking to Submission Radio, Nicksick said he is not sure what the people are thinking about but if they believe that Chimaev owned Strickland during those sparring sessions, they are probably wrong.
“I don’t know what they saw in the gym, but that’s not the case by any means. I won’t speak about our training sessions. What happens inside our gym stays within our gym. But there was no one side or the other that was just getting blown out of the water… It’s quite the opposite if you ask me. But it was very competitive,” Nicksick explained.
“Khamzat trains hard, man. He goes hard, he trains hard,” he added. “And I think he made everybody in the room better. But by no means did I think that there was like, ‘Oh, we’re at a disadvantage by any means at all.'”
Eric knew the day will come
Prior to UFC 294, there was already buzz about “Borz” possibly getting a middleweight title shot if he ends up securing another win. Now that Chimaev successfully improved his unbeaten record, Nicksick will not be surprised if the UFC decides books him to be Strickland’s next challenger.
“I mean, it’s business. It is what it is,” Nicksick said of Strickland vs. Chimaev. “We knew that eventually that that’s a possibility you know we got guys in the in the middleweight division in our gym that are just stacked in the rankings so sh*t, eventually those guys might have to fight.”
Nicksick previously said that he is open to seeing Strickland return to defend his middleweight strap before the year ends.
On the other hand, Chimaev has been clear about his plan to fight for the title and take over the middleweight division. However, it might not happen soon as “Borz” would have to nurse a torn ligament in his hand and would be required to wear a brace for the next four weeks. After that, Chimaev’s injury will be reassessed.
Check out Nicksick’s full interview below:
