Khamzat Chimaev successfully executed his strategy at the UFC 328 press conference, where he interrupted Sean Strickland's trash talk. Chimaev's aggressive approach left Strickland visibly frustrated.
Key points
Khamzat Chimaev interrupted Sean Strickland at UFC 328 press conference
Chimaev's strategy was to dominate the conversation
Strickland made offensive comments about Chimaev prior to the event
Mentioned in this story
Newark, New Jersey
Khamzat ChimaevSean StricklandUFC 328
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 07: Khamzat Chimaev of Russia is seen on stage during the UFC 328 press conference at Prudential Center on May 07, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 07: Khamzat Chimaev of Russia is seen on stage during the UFC 328 press conference at Prudential Center on May 07, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)
For the past three weeks, Sean Strickland has been talking endless trash about Chimaev, Chimaevās family, and Chechnya. Real vile bottom of the barrel racist stuff, and it was a real question how Chimaev would react if Strickland dropped some of his greatest hits in person just a dozen feet away from āBorz.ā
While Strickland did indeed run through a number of his more offensive zingers, you might not have heard them because Chimaev basically yelled over him the entire press conference. Every time Sean started talking, Khamzat actively interrupted him, yelling non-stop, repeating himself, and whooping at the crowd. āTarzanā pushed on with his own taunts, but you could tell he was extremely frustrated by the end of the press conference.
Russian Hustle video blogger Adam Zubayraev has been with Chimaev through this entire training camp and captured the moments following the UFC 328 presser.
āIn my opinion, Khamzat completely outplayed him,ā Zubayraev said. āSean was nervous, you could really see that certain moments were irritating him.ā
āIf I didnāt stop him, he was gonna say more and more bad things,ā Chimaev said of his endless disruptions. āI just tried to stop him. If I let him speak, he was gonna speak about my mom and dad and everyone, I needed to do something. I donāt like when he is speaking about this sāt. If someone tries to do that, you have to get them back.ā
Q&A
What was Khamzat Chimaev's strategy at the UFC 328 press conference?
Khamzat Chimaev's strategy involved interrupting Sean Strickland and yelling over him to dominate the conversation.
How did Sean Strickland react to Khamzat Chimaev during the press conference?
Sean Strickland appeared frustrated as Chimaev continuously interrupted him and yelled during the press conference.
What kind of comments did Sean Strickland make about Khamzat Chimaev before the press conference?
Sean Strickland made offensive and racist remarks about Khamzat Chimaev and his background leading up to the press conference.
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Chimaev also got a kick in on Strickland during their attempted face-off at the press conference, adding to the Americanās visible frustration. And just like that, Khamzat managed to walk away the winner from a press conference that everyone expected to go Sean Stricklandās way.
With no guns drawn or fights cancelled, weāre doing pretty good so far. Next up: the ceremonial weigh-ins (and another face off?) on Friday night, and then the actual fight on Saturday.