Sean Strickland suggests bad blood with Khamzat Chimaev was to ‘sell’ UFC 328 fight

Sean Strickland has suggested that the apparent bad blood between himself and Khamzat Chimaev was staged to help promote their UFC 328 fight. The rivalry appeared intense after Chimaev kicked Strickland at a press conference filled with vulgar insults, but the two fighters touched gloves and embraced on fight night, raising questions about the authenticity of their feud. Strickland's comments imply the animosity was at least partly a marketing tool for the bout.