UFC 328: Khamzat Chimaev enters UFC 328 with an undefeated record. The war of words occurred for the final time before Saturday’s main event, where the 32-year-old announced himself as a ‘Terrorist’ before his clash against Sean Strickland at Prudential Center in Newark. The two fighters will be clashing for the middleweight title, with Chimaev holding the title. He enters the clash as the favourite to win against Strickland.
It was Chimaev’s stern warning during the UFC 328 press conference that created headlines. Announcing himself as a terrorist and saying that he is coming for Strickland’s head heated things up. The press conference soon turned physical with UFC CEO Dana White having to step in.
Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland at UFC 328
Khamzat Chimaev says that he is a terrorist for Chechnya and he is going to take off Sean Strickland’s head
“I AM A TERRORIST, I’M GOING TO TAKE OFF HIS HEAD, ALLAH AKHBAR”
WTF 😧 pic.twitter.com/QdhpluFMSx
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) May 7, 2026
In front of UFC CEO Dana White, the press conference leading up to UFC 328 in Newark devolved into a physical situation that almost got out of hand. The mood inside Prudential Center was heated long before the boxers faced each other during the traditional standoff. From the first minute, UFC officials were prepared for blows being exchanged, armed police were stationed nearby, and security guards flanked the stage. That warning turned out to be warranted. As the rivals got closer, what had begun as verbal sparring soon intensified, adding yet another level of animosity to a fight that had recently been extremely personal.
UFC 328 Press Conference: Khamzat Chimaev kicks Sean Strickland
During the UFC 328 press conference, Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland came face-to-face, and things got physical soon. It all started with words being exchanged between the two former training partners. Even Dana White, in anticipation of things getting out of hand, had said, “Be good, Guys”. The two fighters were exchanging insults after coming face-to-face. Strickland had previously made terrorist-related comments for Khamzat in recent months. The champion decided to respond during the face-off and said, “I am a terrorist for him. I’m gonna take off his head. I’m gonna kill him!”
THIS WAS INEVITABLE 👀@KChimaev vs @SStricklandMMA
[ #UFC328 | MAY 9 | 9pmET | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/Rm4OSEWSa7
— UFC (@ufc) May 7, 2026
Even UFC, when sharing the video of the physical altercation between the two fighters, called it inevitable. Both Khamzat and Strickland were being held by a guard before the former landed a kick at the challenger.
Exactly what I expected a coward to do.
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) May 7, 2026
Strickland then took to Twitter to call Khamzat a coward. He said that it was expected of Khamzat to kick him during the standoff, and he expected this from a coward.
UFC 328: What is Khamzat Chimaev’s record ahead of his fight against Sean Strickland?
Khamzat Chimaev comes into this fight against Sean Strickland as the UFC Middleweight Champion. The 32-year-old is once again the favourite against Sean Strickland and will be expected to win the clash. In the middleweight division, there is currently no fighter more dangerous than Chimaev himself. He has won each of his 15 fights. Six of these wins have come by a knockout, while six have come by submission. He has won nine fights in only the first round. Sean Strickland, challenging for the UFC Middleweight title, will have his tasks cut out as he faces Chimaev.
