Former fighter reveals tension over Chimaev's reaction to Strickland's provocations before UFC 328.

Chimaev focused before fighting in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

One of the most feared names in all of MMA, Khamzat Shimaev will defend the middleweight belt (up to 83,9kg) for the first time against Sean Strickland In the main event of UFC 328, which takes place in early May in New Jersey, the Chechen fighter will not only have to put his undefeated record to the test against a former champion, but he will also have to deal with the American's sharp tongue, a fact that worries Din Thomas, one of the Ultimate's official commentators.

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According to the former fighter, it's very difficult to anticipate how Chimaev and his team will react to Strickland's trash talk, known for his use of foul language in his provocations. He believes it wouldn't be surprising if the two came to blows before the fight inside the octagon.

“Sean is going to say some crazy and absurd things, and then he’ll stop there and wait for the fight. But you don’t know what Chimaev and his team might do if they get really offended. You can’t trust what he’s going to do. He might have some henchmen with him. If I were Sean, I’d put on a show, but I also wouldn’t let things go too far,” said Thomas, who competed in the UFC between 2001 and 2008.

Din Thomas says nobody knows how Khamzat and his team might react if they truly get offended by Sean Strickland's words 👀😲

"Sean's going to say some crazy, wild stuff, and then he's going to leave it at that, and then he's going to wait for the fight. But you don't know what… pic.twitter.com/CJC9GHA7vx

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) March 23, 2026

Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland have trained together before.

Sean Strickland e Khamzat Shimaev They will face each other at UFC 328. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/Montage SUPER LUTAS.

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Two of the most popular and successful names in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's middleweight division (up to 83,9 kg), Chimaev and Strickland briefly trained together in 2022 at Extreme Couture, the gym where the American fighter is a member. Since then, the two have exchanged barbs on several occasions through the media.