Security personnel armed with weapons and wearing body armor stood behind fighters during the UFC 328 press conference, which featured intense exchanges between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland. The analysis notes that while both fighters brought energy and sharpness, the substance was lacking, with neither responding directly to the other's points. Strickland focused his attacks on Chimaev's associations with Kadyrov, Chechnya, dictatorship, and accused him of cowardice for traveling with a group. Chimaev's approach centered on Strickland's childhood trauma, similar to Dricus Du Plessis's previous strategy that reduced Strickland to tears. The commentary suggests Chimaev appeared less affected because Strickland is not taken seriously and because Chimaev knows he holds a significant fighting advantage. Overall, the confrontation delivered emotion but zero substantive development of the conflict between the two fighters.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
