VIDEO: Keep their distance! Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland argue about the distance at the UFC 328 weigh-in.

Image montage used to promote the Chimaev vs. Strickland fight at UFC. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube/UFC

PUBLICITY:

The first look between Khamzat Shimaev e Sean StricklandThe event, held last Thursday (7), was so hostile that it forced the world's largest MMA organization to reinforce the fighters' security to prevent the worst from happening at the ceremonial weigh-in. UFC 328So much so that, this Friday (8), the company's stars didn't even face each other. However, despite the long distance between them, the Chechen, middleweight champion (up to 83,9 kg), and the American found a way to argue.

When called to the ceremony, Strickland appeared focused and with a grim expression, irritated at having received a kick to the groin from his rival during the face-off at the pre-event press conference.UFC 328Then, Chimaev, as usual, appeared agitated and shouting. From there, the Ultimate security team acted quickly and stepped in, preventing the rivals from getting close and, consequently, preventing the main fight of the show from happening earlier than scheduled.

See too

Alex Poatan and Ilia Topuria team up in a feud with Josh Hokit at a UFC press conference in Casa Branca; video.

Dana White ignores Jon Jones vs. Cormier and places Chimaev vs. Strickland in the top 3 greatest rivalries in UFC history.

Official farewell! Mauricio Ruffy announces his departure from Fighting Nerds and praises his coach; Sucupira responds.

But, whoever wants a fight, finds a way to create confusion. Therefore, even though they were restrained, Chimaev and Strickland exchanged threats and insults. At least this time, there was no aggression. In any case, the former UFC middleweight champion openly displayed his aversion to the Chechen and called him a coward for attacking him at the press conference and a cheater, stating that he failed to make weight and cheated the rules at the official weigh-in, held on Friday morning, to compete on Saturday (9). The king of the category laughed at the accusation from the North American and promised to punish him in the octagon.

CHIMAEV VS STRICKLAND! #UFC328 is LIVE SATURDAY on @ParamountMore! pic.twitter.com/nNdGrHBbTq

- UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2026

“I’ll be quick, guys. This fucking coward tried to kick my balls like a fucking wimp. You’re an idiot, you son of a bitch! This bitch couldn’t even make weight! You fucking cheat. Fuck off, you son of a bitch! You son of a bitch!”, the former UFC champion lashed out.

"I love this kid who's full of nonsense. I'll show him that tomorrow," concluded the UFC champion.

SEAN STRICKLAND GOES CRAZY ON KHAMZAT CHIMAEV 😳

"This f*cking coward tries to kick me in the nuts like a f*cking p*ssy. This f*cking b*tch didn't even make weight you cheating f*ck.

F*CK YOU YOU SON OF A WH*RE. B*TCH.” #UFC328 https://t.co/lsyAhBujDq pic.twitter.com/drRltmhQ3l

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 8, 2026

UFC 328 technical sheet

Date: May 9, 2026

Time: From 18pm (Brasília time)

Location: Prudential Center, New Jersey, United States

How to watch: SUPER FIGHTS LIVE in real time, Paramount+ (entire card) on TV and internet.

MAIN CARD (22pm Brasília time)

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Khamzat Shimaev x Sean Strickland – fight for the belt

Flyweight (up to 57 kg): Joshua Van x Tatsuro Taira – fight for the belt

Heavy weight (up to 120,2 kg): Alexander Volkov x Waldo Cortes Acosta

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Sean brady x Joaquin buckley

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Bobby Green x Jeremy Stephens

PRELIMINARY CARD (18pm Brasília time)

Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Ateba Gautier x Ozzy Diaz

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Joel alvarez x Yaroslav Amosov

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Grant dawson x Mateusz Rebecki

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Jim Miller x Jared gordon

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Roman Kopylov x Marcus Tullius Learn

Featherweight (up to 65,8 kg): pat sabatini x William Gomis

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Baisangur Susurkaev x Djorden Santos

Flyweight (up to 57 kg): Clayton Carpenter x Jose Ochoa