Former UFC title challenger and ex-sparring partner of Khamzat Chimaev, Khalil Rountree, has sparked debate by stating that Chimaev outperformed Sean Strickland in their official fight, despite the American winning by split decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-48).
“The first round was great. In the second round, everything changed abruptly, and then… The third round, in my opinion, after it ended… I remember noting to myself: ‘Okay, I’m giving this round to Khamzat.’ Honestly, I think he did enough to win the fight. Which rounds did he take? I’d say the first, third, and fourth. I don’t recall really watching the fifth. That round, people say they would have given to him as well. But either way, I think if there’s a rematch, it will look completely different for us,” Rountree said on the JAXXON PODCAST.
Rountree, who has trained closely with Chimaev, emphasized that the Chechen-born fighter’s performance was stronger than the official record suggests. The close decision has fueled ongoing discussions among fans and analysts about the scoring, with many calling for a potential rematch. Rountree’s insider perspective adds weight to the claim that Chimaev may have been overlooked by the judges, setting the stage for a possible future clash.