Sean Strickland criticizes champion Khamzat Chimaev’s inactivity, urging consistent fighting over long breaks.

Sean Strickland, set to fight Anthony Hernandez on Feb. 21, 2026, criticized champion Khamzat Chimaev’s inactivity since winning the UFC middleweight title in August 2025, calling his long breaks and frequent injuries counterproductive. Strickland argued that staying active against top opponents offers greater financial and competitive benefits than waiting for a title shot, and claimed he is uniquely positioned to beat Chimaev due to superior wrestling and pace. He dismissed the idea of waiting for Chimaev’s return, emphasizing consistent fighting over prolonged layovers.