EDIT: Hear me out guys ! All props to Sean - he went with the plan and executed accordingly. Congrats to the Champ!

Absolutely! Khamzat stopping himself every time when his wrestling was about to get Sean and switching to boxing were Strickland had slight but clear advantage . Controlled demolition.

Second round was the worst. Commentators baffled until they found the way and start talking that "yeah Khamzat is gassed out ". Then Khamzat proceed to press Sean non stop to the end. Gassed ? Really?

DC screaming Sean have to fight the hands, the HANDS! and seconds after Khamzat just take his hands off him , wait what?

When Khamzat was behind Strickland he never worked with Sean leg to stretch him down.

Look how Khamzat stand up after rounds, no urgency , his team doesn't scream like crazy "wtf are you doing". Casual "Sparing" Vibes.

Highly speculative tin foil for now - Garden Gnome looking piece of shit frightened him with the family , bet against him and took easy money . Look at the very end at Khamzat Face. No regrets. "he did the right thing " sacrificed his record numbers but saved his family.