Khamzat Chimaev Kicks Sean Strickland in Chaotic UFC 328 Press Conference Face-Off
A routine face-off at the UFC 328 press conference erupted into chaos Thursday when middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev kicked challenger Sean Strickland in the lower body. The incident, which took place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, came just days before their scheduled title bout on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
As the two fighters were brought together for the traditional staredown, UFC CEO Dana White urged them to "be good, guys." Moments later, Chimaev landed a kick to Strickland's leg, sending the former champion stumbling backward before security and personnel separated the pair. Strickland, visibly enraged, shouted, "You b****, you coward!" and immediately took to social media to condemn his opponent's actions.
The kick added more fuel to an already hostile buildup, with both men trading insults throughout the press conference. White later told reporters he had no regrets about allowing the face-off, saying, "According to my therapist, I’m a sociopath. Why would I not have a face-off?"
Weigh-In Results Confirm Title Fight is On
The title fight is officially set after both athletes successfully made weight Friday morning. At the UFC 328 weigh-ins, Chimaev and Strickland each stepped on the scale at 185 pounds, the middleweight limit. The bout, which takes place Saturday night at the Prudential Center, will be Chimaev's first title defense since defeating Dricus du Plessis by dominant unanimous decision at UFC 319 last August.
Strickland, who formerly held the middleweight belt, is looking to reclaim the championship. Despite Thursday's altercation, both fighters appeared focused at the weigh-in. Chimaev, undefeated at 15-0, is a heavy -550 favorite according to sportsbooks, but Strickland's resilience and previous upsets make him a dangerous underdog.
Stakes High for Both Fighters in Middleweight Showdown
The stakes for Saturday's main event could not be higher. For Chimaev, a win solidifies his status as one of the pound-for-pound best — he currently sits at No. 4 in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings. For Strickland, an upset victory would mark a triumphant return to the top of a division he once ruled.
UFC 328 also features a stacked fight card. The co-main event sees flyweight champion Joshua Van defending his belt against Tatsuro Taira. Van won the title in just 26 seconds at UFC 323 when champion Alexandre Pantoja suffered a freak injury. Other notable bouts include a heavyweight matchup between Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta, and a welterweight fight pitting Sean Brady against Joaquin Buckley.
Islam Makhachev Weighs In: Strickland Could Make It Tough
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev shared his prediction for the fight in a recent interview with Red Corner MMA. Makhachev, who has trained with some of Strickland's sparring partners, believes the challenger's unorthodox style and relentless pace could pose problems for Chimaev.
Makhachev stated: "If Khamzat manages to take him down early, it could be a very easy fight. But if it goes all five rounds, then he would have to work really hard. The guys who worked with him at Xtreme Couture say he’s constantly trying to get up from the ground. He never stays down."
Makhachev described Strickland as "unhinged" but noted that his refusal to stay on the mat, combined with his pressure striking, could test Chimaev's stamina. Strickland's ability to get back to his feet and keep the fight standing may be key to derailing the champion's wrestling-heavy approach, as detailed in Whittaker Says Strickland Must Deter Chimaev’s Wrestling to Win UFC 328 Title.
Broader Implications: What a Strickland Win Would Mean
If Strickland pulls off the upset, it would send shockwaves through the middleweight division. Chimaev has been marketed as an unstoppable force, and a loss could reset title pictures and open up new contenders like du Plessis, who is eager for a rematch. Conversely, a dominant Chimaev win would likely set up a super fight with welterweight champion Makhachev or a move to light heavyweight.
The heated buildup, including Thursday's kicking incident, also raises questions about fighter safety and pre-fight protocols. With the UFC's continued growth — and major events like Eurovision 2026 drawing global attention — the promotion remains a magnet for controversy and high drama. As Saturday approaches, all eyes will be on Newark to see whether the chaos carries into the cage.
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