Khamzat Chimaev Kicks Sean Strickland at UFC 328 Press Conference

Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland do not like each other.

If there was any doubt. If you thought the social media banter was tongue-in-cheek. It's real.

At today's UFC press conference, ahead of their championship matchup this Saturday at UFC 328, Chimaev and Strickland came face-to-face. The two jawed back and forth, with Dana White and security officials between them, before Chimaev kicked Strickland in the midsection.

The camera panned to Strickland, as he was immediately surrounded by officials holding him back. The same was happening on Chimaev's side as well.

Bad blood is inevitable when you have two outspoken fighters facing one another. The leadup to this fight got ugly and personal. But whether the hardcore MMA fan likes it or not, it does add intrigue to the fight.

Chimaev is the heavy favorite going into this matchup. Oddsmakers and experts feel he will easily implement his world-class wrestling against Strickland's upright, striking style. However, Chimaev can be an emotional fighter. Will he try to prove a point and choose to strike with Strickland?

It wouldn't be the first time he's deviated from a game plan. His fight against Gilbert Burns was an amazing, back-and-forth striking match. But it left him vulnerable.

Every fight in which Chimaev utilizes his wrestling, he is virtually unstoppable. His combination of strength, technique, and relentless pursuit makes his wrestling unique. Once he has you down, you stay there.

He is one of the rare fighters to have maintained his undefeated record, despite being a champion and facing high level competition. But Strickland has overcome long odds before. He was a heavy underdog in his wins over Israel Adesanya and Anthony Hernandez. If he can bait Chimaev into a striking match, and overwhelm him with his cardio and pace, the fight becomes interesting.

Saturday night, none of the theatrics will matter. What will matter is whether Chimaev can keep his composure and fight his fight, or whether Strickland's ability to get under his skin will follow him into the octagon. Strickland has built a career out of proving people wrong, but if Chimaev channels his emotions into his wrestling rather than his ego, this fight could be over before Strickland ever finds his rhythm.

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This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 3:37 PM.