UFC middleweight Khamzat Chimaev received a strong reply from bantamweight challenger Marlon Vera regarding his comments about former champion Sean Strickland.
In an interview with Brett Okamoto for ESPN MMA, Chimaev was asked about his limited experience at 185 pounds, a point that Strickland had previously used to question his worthiness as a title challenger.
Chimaev responded by saying he beat Strickland "every day" during their training sessions at Xtreme Couture. He also claimed that 'Tarzan' sought help from his coach, who asked 'Borz' to take it easy on his fighter.
“Ask the guy [Strickland] who was beating him up every day in the gym. How many times I submit the guy? How many times I beat him up? He went to his coach, ‘Please tell the guy, go easy...’ He’s lying man. When I went too hard, he went to his coach and said, ‘Please tell this guy go easy.’”
Marlon 'Chito' Vera responded to Chimaev's comments on Instagram, challenging the Chechen-born fighter's claims. Vera pointed out that training sessions shouldn't be used as a basis for bragging rights.
He wrote: "Training doest count bud."
Check out Marlon Vera's comment in the screenshot below:
Vera is set to challenge his past opponent Sean O'Malley for the bantamweight championship at UFC 299. This rematch marks his first title shot in a decade with the UFC.