A Volatile Encounter
During the UFC 328 press conference held this Thursday, UFC CEO Dana White attempted to maintain order by asking Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland to stay professional. However, the situation quickly spiraled out of control as the middleweight rivals came face-to-face.
Despite being restrained by security and staff, both fighters continued to exchange verbal jabs. Among the heated remarks, Chimaev stated, «I’m not going to touch you,» while Strickland countered by taunting, «You ain’t going to do s*.»
The Physical Confrontation
The situation escalated when Chimaev delivered a kick toward Strickland’s lower body. While the exact point of impact remains unclear, the motion caused Strickland to stumble backward. Security personnel immediately intervened, physically separating the two men as the stage descended into chaos.
In the aftermath, Strickland was recorded shouting, «You b, you coward!» before later sharing his unfiltered thoughts regarding the incident on social media.
A Highly Charged Build-up
The incident served as the climax to an already tense press conference. To minimize the risk of conflict, organizers had seated the fighters on opposite ends of the stage, surrounded by multiple security officers. Throughout the event, both athletes traded constant insults.
When asked beforehand if he would permit a face-off given the intense animosity between the two, Dana White jokingly remarked, «According to my therapist, I’m a sociopath. Why would I not have a face-off?»
UFC 328 Event Details
The event is set to take place this Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Chimaev, who holds an undefeated record, enters the bout as a heavy -550 favorite. He is currently looking to secure his first successful title defense after winning the championship belt from Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 last August.