Dana White addressed the physical altercation during the Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland face-off. White stated that he believes Chimaev's strike was a low blow, saying 'I think it was a strike to the groin. I was holding Khamzat's hands at that moment.' The comment provides White's perspective on the incident that occurred during the pre-fight promotion. This was shared as duplicate content across multiple platforms by the channel.
UFC President Dana White has weighed in on the physical confrontation that took place during the face-off between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland ahead of their scheduled middleweight bout, offering his account of what he witnessed at close range.
White stated that he believes Chimaev landed a strike to the groin during the altercation, adding that he was personally holding Chimaev's hands at the moment the contact occurred. The comments put White directly at the center of the incident and offer the clearest official account yet of what transpired during the pre-fight promotion.
Strickland, 35, is the reigning UFC middleweight champion, carrying a professional record of 31-7-0. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and lands 6.04 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the division's most active offensive fighters.
Chimaev, 32, enters as the top-ranked middleweight contender and sits at number ten in the pound-for-pound rankings. The UAE-based fighter holds a record of 15-1-0 and trains out of Allstars Training Center. Standing six-foot-two with a reach of 75 inches, Chimaev posts 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and converts strikes at a 60 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the most efficient fighters in the division.
Why it matters
- White's account places him as a direct witness, lending weight to the claim that the contact was intentional and targeted
- The incident occurred during promotional duties, raising questions about conduct ahead of a high-profile championship matchup
- The middleweight title is on the line, with the number one contender challenging the reigning champion in what is a significant divisional moment
- A groin shot during a face-off, if confirmed, adds an extra layer of animosity to an already heated rivalry between two combative personalities
