The UFC 328 press conference between Chimaev and Strickland delivered strong emotion but lacked substantive back-and-forth argumentation. Chimaev's approach centered on Strickland's childhood trauma, while Strickland focused on Kadyrov, Chechnya, dictatorship, and Chimaev's tendency to travel with an entourage. Neither fighter effectively responded to the other's points or developed the conflict beyond surface-level insults. Chimaev's line echoed Dricus Du Plessis's previous approach that reduced Strickland to tears, but Strickland was prepared this time. Strickland went much further than McGregor did with Khabib on similar topics, but Chimaev chose to completely ignore those comments. Armed security in bulletproof vests added dramatic effect, though it's unclear which fighter expended more emotional energy or was more affected.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
