Khamzat Chimaev has dismissed Sean Strickland’s threats, stating that any confrontation outside the cage would result in Strickland’s demise.
Chimaev is preparing for his first middleweight title defense against Strickland, headlining UFC 328 on May 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The lead-up to the fight has been marked by increasingly acrimonious exchanges between the two fighters, suggesting a deeply personal animosity.
The former middleweight champion recently heightened tensions by declaring he would shoot anyone who approached him with malicious intent, a response to Chimaev’s earlier comment about Strickland “running away” before their scheduled bout.
However, Khamzat Chimaev appears unfazed by Sean Strickland’s aggressive rhetoric.
Khamzat Chimaev Downplays Sean Strickland’s Shooting Threats Prior to UFC 328
During a recent media availability for UFC 328, Khamzat Chimaev minimized Sean Strickland’s gun-related threats, showing no concern and instead issuing his own stern warning.
“I don’t know. We’ll see what happens. For me, it’s the same thing,” Chimaev stated. “Clowns always talk. He wouldn’t be a clown if he stayed quiet. Brother, he hasn’t shot any chickens, let alone a human. I don’t think so. If the guy wants a real fight outside the cage, and if he really wanted it, he would already be dead.”
To mitigate any potential altercations, UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed enhanced security measures throughout UFC 328 fight week to ensure the fighters remain separated until their octagon encounter. Consequently, a planned pre-fight face-off with Paramount has been canceled to avoid further escalation, given the fighters’ history of animosity.
Chimaev, known as “Borz,” remains undefeated in the Octagon with a 9-0 record, including significant victories over Robert Whittaker, Kamaru Usman, and Gilbert Burns. His last performance was at UFC 319 in August 2025, where he captured the middleweight championship from Dricus Du Plessis via unanimous decision.
Strickland, on the other hand, enters the fight following a knockout victory against Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston in February. He holds a 17-7 record in the promotion, with notable wins against Paulo Costa, Israel Adesanya, and Nassourdine Imavov.