UFC veteran Jorge Masvidal has launched a scathing verbal attack on Khamzat Chimaev, targeting the undefeated champion’s fighting style and conditioning. The strong comments come ahead of Chimaev’s upcoming middleweight title defense against Sean Strickland and have quickly gained traction across MMA social media platforms.
Masvidal’s remarks surfaced during a segment of his “Deathrow MMA” show. The retired UFC star was responding to earlier boasts from Chimaev, who had claimed he could defeat Masvidal, Masvidal’s co-host Johnny Eblen, and Sean Strickland all in the same night. This audacious challenge set the stage for Masvidal’s fierce response.
In his rant, Masvidal dismissed the effectiveness of Chimaev’s grappling-heavy approach, stating, “You’re not going to kill anyone by hugging them to death.” He then explicitly told Chimaev to “stop with that crotch-sniffing” if he intended to speak about him, asserting that Chimaev’s legacy would forever be associated with such tactics. Masvidal further criticized Chimaev’s repeated reliance on grappling in pivotal moments, claiming he consistently resorts to “sniffing crotches” instead of proving his critics wrong.
Masvidal didn’t stop at style, also questioning Chimaev’s endurance. He advised Chimaev to prioritize his upcoming bout rather than worrying about Masvidal’s online activities or podcast content. “Your gas tank is trash, and Sean’s about to test your gas tank,” Masvidal warned. These comments align with Masvidal’s earlier expressions of support for Strickland, where he confidently stated he would “dump the house on Strickland” and voiced skepticism about Chimaev’s overall skill.
This “crotch-sniffer” insult is not new for Masvidal; it’s a consistent part of his public persona, often directed at wrestlers whom he perceives as winning solely through control rather than offensive striking. By applying this label to Chimaev, Masvidal places the Chechen-born champion in a category of grapplers he has frequently criticized throughout his career in the UFC.
Khamzat Chimaev is scheduled to defend his UFC middleweight title against former champion Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328. The highly anticipated clash is set to take place on May 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed this matchup in early March, establishing Strickland as Chimaev’s initial challenger in the 185-pound division. Chimaev secured the belt last August with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Dricus du Plessis, a performance characterized by relentless wrestling pressure, superior top control, and consistent ground damage across all five rounds.
Strickland, a former middleweight champion himself, earned his title shot through sustained activity and securing key victories after losing his belt, including a recent win over Anthony Hernandez. Known for his high-volume jab, forward pressure, and exceptional durability, Strickland is expected to thoroughly test Chimaev’s conditioning and composure, particularly in the championship rounds, especially if he can maintain his upright stance or consistently return to his feet.
While it remains to be seen if Chimaev will directly respond to Masvidal’s latest tirade, these comments have undeniably intensified the narrative surrounding UFC 328. The upcoming fight pits an undefeated champion, known for his wrestling-heavy approach and lingering questions about his cardio, against a challenger widely believed to be capable of dragging him into the grueling type of contest Masvidal insists Chimaev cannot endure.