The UFC 328 press conference delivered unprecedented emotion and confrontation between Hamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland. Chimaev appeared more charged up than at any point since his fight with Gilbert Burns, completely dominating the verbal exchange and preventing Strickland from landing his typical verbal jabs. Strickland, known for his confrontational style, appeared frustrated as he was uncharacteristically out-talked. Despite Strickland's courage in saying to Chimaev's face what he had previously stated in interviews, the analyst notes that discussions of Strickland's victory path still rely heavily on what Chimaev might fail to do rather than Strickland's own offensive capabilities. The heated atmosphere suggests the fight itself could deliver excitement to match the promotional buildup.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
