The UFC 328 official press conference featured high tension levels between middleweight champion, Khamzat Chimaev and the American challenger se, Sean Strickland. During the event, both fighters exchanged constant insults that forced security to intervene on multiple occasions.

The interaction between Chimaev and Strickland dominated the day, leaving in a background other members of the card who observed the conflict from their seats.

The verbal showdown began as soon as the Chechen fighter entered the stage to take his place. Strickland initiated the hostilities by accusing Chimaev of having questionable political ties in his home country and harshly criticized his followers.

These statements generated an immediate response from the champion, who assured that the American public supports him more than the former-monarch of the category within the framework of UFC 328.

Conflicts from the past and shared training

A breaking point in the conference occurred when the stage in which they were gymnastics partners was mentioned. Chimaev claimed that he had already He has finished his rival in previous training sessions, an assertion that Strickland dismissed as a manipulation of reality.

Furthermore, an anecdote came to light about a failed meeting outside a gym where both intended to resolve their differences informally before agreeing on UFC 328.

“I've done it many times in the gym,” said Chimaev in the last confrontation before the fight.

The exchange of accusations about who avoided the street confrontation increased hostility at the podium.

Strickland maintained his critical stance toward Chimaev's presence in the country, while the Chechen focused on his ability to dominate the fight next Saturday. He's organizing tion had to keep several security members between them to allow press questions to flow during the half-hour long of the event before UFC 328.

A final confrontation marked by physical aggression

The moment of the first face to face closed the day with a physical incident that set off the alarms of the promoters. After several seconds of provocations at a distance, Chimaev launched a kick to the knee Strickland which caused a violent reaction from the American. Security had to use physical force to separate the protagonists and prevent the conflict escalating before the UFC 328 night.

Both athletes ensure that they will finish the fight by the fast track, although the fighting styles present a marked contrast. Chimaev arrives with the background of having defeated figures like Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usm an, basing his strategy on a dominant fight. For his part, Strickland showed apparent calm after the kick incident, suggesting that he has a tactical plan to recapture the world belt this weekend.