UFC 328 is heating up as middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and challenger Sean Strickland engage in a heated online war before their May 9th bout at Newark’s Prudential Center. Chimaev, who claimed the title last year with a dominant unanimous decision against Dricus du Plessis, is set to face Strickland, who secured his shot by defeating Anthony Hernandez. The rivalry has escalated over weeks, becoming increasingly personal.
The dispute ignited when Chimaev stated that he and his team would confront Strickland if they encountered him outside the octagon, asserting that Strickland would quickly retreat when outnumbered. Strickland retaliated on Twitter, resorting to insults such as “Third World Dog” and “Whore.”
Strickland continued his verbal assault, mocking Chimaev’s association with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and predicting a lack of a post-fight handshake. Chimaev’s camp, however, appeared unfazed, with his coach reportedly stating they found the remarks amusing and continued their training. UFC CEO Dana White intervened, canceling their scheduled face-off and increasing security measures to maintain order. This situation draws parallels to past UFC feuds, such as the one between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, where verbal hostilities spilled into physical altercations.
Former heavyweight fighter Brendan Schaub, speaking on his podcast, described Chimaev’s team-based threat as “lame and gay,” suggesting it demonstrates a lack of confidence and an unwillingness to handle matters independently. Schaub highlighted the cohesive nature of Strickland’s team, noting their united response to insults. He cautioned the UFC to remain vigilant to prevent the fight from being jeopardized.
“That’s kind of lame and gay, like you’re talking all this sh-t, well my buddies are going to jump you. It’s like you’re the man, what do you mean you’re going to jump him? If you mess with one of them, you mess with all of them. They’re super tight knit. They don’t take kindly to insults. If I thought there were a bunch of guys coming after me, I’d be prepared too. The UFC needs to be on top of it, otherwise we’re not going to get this fight.”
Chimaev enters the bout with an undefeated record of 15-0, holding a high pound-for-pound ranking following his championship win. His formidable wrestling and relentless pace have proven overwhelming for opponents, although past health concerns have presented challenges. Strickland, with a record of 30-7, has built momentum with significant victories over Israel Adesanya and Anthony Hernandez. His fighting style relies on high-volume striking and exceptional cardio to wear down adversaries.
UFC 328 will be headlined on Paramount+ from the Prudential Center. The co-main event features a flyweight championship bout between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira.
This escalating conflict poses a significant test for UFC’s security protocols during fight week. Both fighters are expected to stick to their distinctive fighting styles – Chimaev with his aggressive approach and Strickland with his blunt demeanor – which effectively amplifies the promotional narrative. The middleweight championship will be on the line Saturday night.