Khamzat Chimaev kicked Sean Strickland during their face-to-face confrontation ahead of UFC 328. The physical altercation marked a dramatic escalation in tensions between the two fighters during the pre-fight promotional activities. The post indicates that video content of the incident is being duplicated across multiple platforms for those having trouble loading it. Additional details about the full context of the confrontation are limited in this brief report. The incident has generated significant attention in the lead-up to their scheduled bout.
Tensions between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev turned physical on Wednesday when Chimaev kicked Strickland during a face-to-face promotional appearance ahead of UFC 328, scheduled for this Saturday, May 9.
Strickland, 35, enters the bout as the reigning middleweight champion, carrying a record of 31 wins and 7 losses. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and has built his reputation on relentless output, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute with an orthodox stance. He has held the 185-pound title and will be looking to defend it against the most dangerous contender in the division.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," is ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound heading into the fight. The 32-year-old representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center stands six-foot-two and carries a near-flawless record of 15-1. His numbers tell the story of a physically dominant fighter: a striking accuracy of 60 percent and a staggering 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, complemented by 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, make him one of the most complete threats in the sport.
Why it matters
- The physical confrontation signals an unusually hostile buildup to what was already one of the most anticipated middleweight title fights in recent memory
- Chimaev's elite grappling credentials against Strickland's high-volume striking creates a genuinely compelling style clash at championship level
- A Chimaev victory would place the pound-for-pound top-ten contender atop the middleweight division, while a Strickland win would further cement his status as a legitimate long-term champion
Saturday, May 9, 2026
