A Russian analyst praised the UFC 328 press conference for finally delivering genuine emotion after a series of uneventful promotional events. Both Chimaev and Strickland were credited with heating up the fight atmosphere. Chimaev appeared more energized than at any point since the Burns fight, while Strickland notably confronted Chimaev face-to-face with comments he had previously made in interviews. The analyst gave Strickland credit for his direct approach but expressed skepticism about Strickland's path to victory. The analyst suggested Strickland's chances depend more on potential Chimaev weaknesses than Strickland's own strengths, describing it as a "phantom chance" that exists because fans want a competitive fight.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
