Former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen has expressed reservations about Sean Strickland’s escalating feud with Khamzat Chimaev, particularly questioning whether the middleweight contender’s social media threat to shoot Chimaev ahead of UFC 328 crossed a boundary.
The animosity between Chimaev and Strickland has been intensifying for months. What began as typical pre-fight banter took a sharp turn when Strickland explicitly stated his intentions: he would be armed upon Chimaev’s arrival and would not hesitate to use his weapon if confronted by his team.
Chael Sonnen Explains Why Sean Strickland’s ‘I’m Going to Shoot You’ Remark Crossed a Line Before UFC 328
“I felt the ‘I’m going to shoot you’ comment removed some of the entertainment value,” Sonnen commented. “I wish that phrase hadn’t been used.” The Hall of Famer further elaborated that Strickland’s statement wasn’t just empty words. “Incidentally, I’m not convinced he was joking. He is someone who exercises his Second Amendment rights. He possesses a concealed carry permit and is trained with a firearm.” Strickland’s actual possession of the legal and practical means to act on his words significantly altered the dynamic of the confrontation.
Ariel Helwani voiced concerns that the situation could escalate uncontrollably before fight night, speculating that the UFC might even need to cancel the event. Sonnen, appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show, offered his perspective on why this specific threat felt distinct from the usual trash talk that characterizes MMA promotions.
Sonnen’s primary concern lies in differentiating between promotional hype and genuine threats. Throughout his own career, the retired fighter was involved in intense rivalries but never faced confrontations that moved from words to actual physical altercations. He understands this environment deeply. However, even with his background, introducing firearms into the mix represents uncharted territory for modern UFC promotions.
“I’m not comfortable with that narrative,” Sonnen concluded, referring to the implications of Strickland’s statement.