Sean Strickland has sparked discussion among MMA fans after training with former Bellator champion Yaroslav Amosov. A video shared online showed the two elite fighters working on wrestling drills together. The session quickly caught attention because it brought together champions from different promotions and showcased a rare cross-promotional training partnership.The footage also led to fresh praise from Strickland for Amosov’s grappling skills. The UFC middleweight champion compared the Ukrainian to Khamzat Chimaev and suggested that Amosov’s wrestling and overall grappling ability impressed him even more. The comments have added to the growing excitement surrounding Amosov’s rise in the UFC.
Sean Strickland says Yaroslav Amosov’s grappling stands above Khamzat Chimaev’s
A recent training session between Sean Strickland and Yaroslav Amosov has become one of the biggest talking points in the MMA world. The two former world champions spent time working together on wrestling techniques, giving fans a chance to see two elite competitors sharpen their grappling skills despite competing in different weight classes.Following the session, Strickland spoke highly of Amosov’s abilities on the mat. He explained that after feeling the Ukrainian’s wrestling first-hand, he believes Amosov is an even stronger grappler than former middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev. While Strickland acknowledged Chimaev’s elite skills, he suggested that Amosov’s control, pressure, and wrestling technique left an even greater impression during training.The praise carries weight because Strickland has already shared the Octagon with Chimaev. At UFC 328 in May 2026, Strickland defeated Chimaev by split decision to regain the UFC middleweight championship after five hard-fought rounds. Having experienced Chimaev’s wrestling during an actual title fight, Strickland’s comparison naturally attracted plenty of attention from fans.Amosov has built a reputation as one of the best wrestlers in mixed martial arts. Before joining the UFC, the Ukrainian compiled an outstanding 30-1 professional record and became Bellator’s welterweight champion. His style has always focused on relentless takedowns, positional control, and submissions rather than high-volume striking.His transition to the UFC has also started strongly. At UFC 328, Amosov dominated Joel Álvarez before securing a second-round arm-triangle choke submission. The performance earned him a Performance of the Night bonus and pushed him into the UFC’s top-10 welterweight rankings.Statistically, Amosov’s grappling numbers highlight why he is so highly regarded. He averages more than four takedowns and more than four submission attempts every 15 minutes, making him one of the most active wrestlers competing at the highest level. While Strickland is recognised mainly for his striking, sessions like these allow him to continue improving his defensive wrestling before future title fights.The training also highlights a growing trend in modern MMA. These partnerships allow elite athletes to challenge themselves against different styles without the pressure of competition.For Strickland, spending time with Amosov offers valuable preparation against future wrestling-heavy opponents. For Amosov, training with the UFC middleweight champion provides experience against one of the division’s toughest and most durable fighters.
