Joe Rogan Explains the 'Telling Sign' That Sean Strickland Entered Khamzat Chimaev Fight Hurt

Khamzat Chimaev, Joe Rogan and Sean Strickland (Photo by Imagn Images)

Joe Rogan Explains the 'Telling Sign' That Sean Strickland Entered Khamzat Chimaev Fight Hurt

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Pavan Sharma | Last updated May 14, 2026 8:42 AM ET

Fighters pulled out of fights due to injury, but Sean Strickland played it very risky during UFC 328, as he entered the fight with a major shoulder injury. Recently, Joe Rogan talked about how Strickland fought Khamzat Chimaev with an injured shoulder.

The UFC commentator said he noticed the middleweight champion repeatedly moving and testing his right arm before the fight. This reminded him of how fighters behaved when dealing with shoulder pain. During his recent podcast, the 58-year-old said (video here; warning: viewer discretion advised).

“I’m like, ‘Oh… that’s what I do when my shoulder hurts.’ You test it, see how hurt it is, and feel the range of motion. That motherf----- still fought. A lot of guys would’ve pulled out. A lot of guys would’ve said, ‘I can’t use my arm, I’m pulling out.

Strickland himself confirmed that his shoulder was injured during the post-fight show. However, despite the injury, the American fighter won against Chimaev via split decision. Many also believed that due to the poor weight cut, “Borz” was drained during the fight.

Chael Sonnen Questions Khamzat Chimaev’s Weight Cut Story For Sean Strickland Fight

Khamzat Chimaev’s brother Artur Chimaev revealed that “Borz” cut more than 40 pounds before the fight. However, Chael Sonnen said he did not believe the 32-year-old really cut 46 pounds before his fight with Sean Strickland. In a recent video, the UFC veteran said:

“Told he cut 46 pounds the week of a fight… It’s not the statement, it’s that somebody in our industry would believe the statement that makes my blood boil”

❓Chael Sonnen says Khamzat Chimaev’s weight cut story makes NO sense:

“Told he cut 46 pounds the week of a fight… It’s not the statement, it’s that somebody in our industry would believe the statement that makes my blood boil”

@ChaelSonnen pic.twitter.com/EsEmlL0pLZ
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 13, 2026

Chimaev’s brother claimed that the weight cut was so severe that his body shut down and his recovery before the fight was far from ideal. But Sonnen thought that number was unrealistic and questioned how people were believing it.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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