Magomedov brands Strickland a 'domestic champion' who is too scared to leave America

Sharabutdin Magomedov has taken direct aim at UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, calling him a “domestic champion” who lacks the courage to compete beyond American soil — a verbal broadside that follows Magomedov’s come-from-behind victory over Strickland’s teammate Michel Pereira at UFC Baku last weekend.

Strickland had been in Pereira’s corner during preparations for the fight, even mimicking Magomedov’s style to help his teammate prepare. The tactic failed, and Magomedov (17-1) emerged victorious — then turned his attention squarely to the champion.

“He’s just a windbag,” Magomedov told Red Corner MMA. “His time will come and we’ll meet in the Octagon. There’s where we’ll find out. Even if he keeps talking trash what should I do? Go to America to chase him? He’s like a domestic champion. Just a home boy who acts like a big hero in his gym.”

Magomedov went further, arguing that Strickland would never accept a fight on neutral or hostile ground. “For example, if they invited him to Azerbaijan, he wouldn’t come just because he’s scared. He won’t leave America. And if we had to fight, he would say, ‘Come to America.’ Because he knows I can’t go there now. So he’s just a domestic champion. If he ever comes to Abu Dhabi he’ll ask for five security guards. But most likely he won’t even go there.”

Despite the bravado, a title fight between the two remains a distant prospect. Magomedov is currently unranked in the middleweight division, meaning he would need a significant climb up the ladder before the UFC could justify matching him with Strickland (31-7). Magomedov himself acknowledged the reality, conceding that the fight is unlikely to happen anytime soon.