Robert Whittaker recently shared his thoughts on Sean Strickland's chances against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328.
Whittaker was submitted by Chimaev in the first round of their 2024 fight.
What does Robert Whittaker think is key to beating Khamzat Chimaev?
Having high-level jiu-jitsu is the skillset that Whittaker believes someone will need to beat Chimaev.
Whittaker doesn't expect Sean Strickland to have much success when it comes to grappling with the undefeated champion on May 9.
How does Robert Whittaker think Sean Strickland can counter Khamzat Chimaev's wrestling?
Whittaker explained that Strickland needs to create deterrents to Chimaev's wrestling, rather than relying on his wrestling defense or jiu-jitsu.
“I saw Dricus du Plessis take Strickland down heaps of times when they fought and Chimaev’s a much better wrestler than Dricus,” Whittaker said.
What are Sean Strickland's chances of stopping Khamzat Chimaev's dominant wrestling?
Strickland is believed to have the striking advantage over Chimaev, but Whittaker knows from experience that knowing how your opponent will approach the fight and being able to stop him are two very different things.
Whittaker reflected on his own fight with Chimaev, saying “The thing is you can prepare and expect for things as much as you want, but all the preparation we did and stuff, it didn’t—He was just better than the preparation.”
The former champion may have a good reputation for being difficult to take and hold down, but Whittaker doesn’t think this will be Strickland's key to winning the middleweight title back.
Khamzat Chimaev and team were warned not to do anything that will jeopardize the UFC 328 title fight.
Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev will finally get the chance to settle their bitter feud at Prudential Center on May 9.