Jorge Masvidal has launched a scathing attack on Khamzat Chimaev, criticizing his fighting style and endurance as the undefeated champion prepares for his middleweight title defense against Sean Strickland. Masvidal’s expletive-laden comments quickly gained traction across MMA social media platforms.
The retired UFC veteran’s remarks originated from a segment on his “Deathrow MMA” show. Masvidal was responding to Chimaev’s bold claims that he could defeat Masvidal, his co-host Johnny Eblen, and Sean Strickland all in one night, prompting a fierce rebuttal.
“The funny thing about that is that you ain’t gonna kill nobody by hugging anybody to death. You better stop with that crotch-sniffing sh*t, especially if you’re talking to me, brother. Your legacy is always going to be known for sniffing other dudes’ crotches.
“Every time you had a chance to prove somebody wrong, all you do is sniff crotches. And instead of worrying about what I’m talking and posting about, you should be worrying about your fight, because your gas tank is trash, and Sean’s about to test your gas tank.”
Masvidal Tears Into Chimaev
In the widely circulated video, Masvidal ridiculed Chimaev’s wrestling-heavy approach, asserting that it isn’t as menacing as the champion portrays. He emphatically stated that Chimaev “is not going to kill anybody by hugging them to death” and warned him to “stop with that crotch-sniffing” if he intends to continue speaking about Masvidal.
Masvidal’s remarks align with a consistent aspect of his public persona, where he frequently criticizes wrestlers whom he perceives as winning solely through control rather than offensive output. This “crotch sniffer” insult is not new for Masvidal; he has previously applied it to other grapplers he deemed overly cautious. By using this term for Chimaev, Masvidal categorizes the Chechen-born fighter alongside others he has previously targeted during his UFC career.
Masvidal’s critique extended beyond Chimaev’s style, questioning his stamina for a five-round battle against Strickland. He advised Chimaev to focus on his upcoming fight rather than Masvidal’s online activity or podcast, warning, “your gas tank is trash, and Sean’s about to test your gas tank.” Earlier in the month, Masvidal had already voiced strong support for Strickland, predicting a win for him and expressing doubts about Chimaev’s overall skill.
Chimaev is set to defend his UFC middleweight championship against former titleholder Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 on May 9th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. UFC CEO Dana White officially announced the bout in early March, confirming Strickland as Chimaev’s initial challenger at 185 pounds. Chimaev secured the title last August with a decisive unanimous decision victory over Dricus du Plessis, a performance characterized by relentless wrestling, dominant top control, and consistent ground and pound throughout five rounds.
Strickland, a former middleweight champion, earned this title shot through continued activity and significant victories since losing his belt, notably a recent win against Anthony Hernandez. Renowned for his high-volume jab, constant forward pressure, and resilience, Strickland is expected to thoroughly challenge Chimaev’s conditioning and mental fortitude in the championship rounds, especially if he can maintain a standing position or consistently return to his feet.
It remains uncertain if Chimaev will directly address Masvidal’s recent outburst. However, the viral clip has intensified the narrative surrounding UFC 328: a formidable, undefeated champion known for his wrestling but facing persistent questions about his cardio, pitted against a challenger widely seen as capable of forcing him into the exact type of grueling fight Masvidal believes he cannot endure.
