UFC 328 press conference delivers rare emotion after string of bland events

The UFC 328 press conference between Hamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland finally delivered the emotion and intensity that recent UFC press conferences have lacked. Both fighters contributed to heating up the promotion with Chimaev appearing more fired up than at any time since his bout with Gilbert Burns. Strickland deserves credit for confronting Chimaev directly with statements he had previously made in interviews, though he struggled to land his verbal punches as effectively as usual. The analyst still cannot see a clear path to victory for Strickland, noting that discussions of his chances rely more on Chimaev's potential mistakes than Strickland's actual skills. The hopeful scenario of a competitive fight after such an emotional buildup may prove to be wishful thinking.