Chimaev strikes Strickland during UFC 328 faceoff after heated exchange

Khamzat Chimaev struck Sean Strickland on the leg during their UFC 328 faceoff following a tense verbal exchange. The confrontation escalated when Strickland repeatedly called Chimaev a coward, prompting Chimaev to declare "I'll knock you out" before landing the strike. Dana White attempted to intervene, telling both fighters to behave normally. Strickland later commented on social media that the strike was exactly what he expected from someone he considers a coward. The incident adds further intensity to their upcoming middleweight bout.