NEWARK, N.J. – Everyone was on high alert when Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland finally came face-to-face at Thursday’s UFC 328 pre-fight press conference, and for good reason.
After much anticipation and precaution, Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) and Strickland (30-7 MMA, 17-7 UFC) were still allowed to get close for a staredown after taking questions at a rowdy press conference from Prudential Center, where Saturday’s middleweight title fight will take place (Paramount+).
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UFC CEO Dana White and the swarm of security were extra cautious, but after an exchange of words, Chimaev kicked Strickland, causing security to quickly intervene.
“Exactly what I expected a coward to do,” Strickland wrote on X after the incident.
With that out of the way, the pair move one step closer to sharing the octagon, when Chimaev, 31, will look to make his first 185-pound title defense and Strickland, 35, looks to claim gold in the weight class for a second time.
Check out the video above to see the Chimaev vs. Strickland UFC 328 press conference faceoff.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 328 video: Chimaev kicks Strickland during explosive faceoff
