Sean Strickland reacts to ‘coward’ Khamzat Chimaev kicking him before UFC 328

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 07: Sean Strickland 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)

What did you expect?

In just two days (Sat., May 9, 2026), former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight champion Sean Strickland attempts to reclaim his title against reigning champion Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 328 inside Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

During Thursday’s UFC 328 press conference (watch here), the bitter rivals spent nearly the entire 40-minute session trading insults and talking over one another — continuing the increasingly personal feud that has dominated the buildup to the fight.

Then came the faceoff.

As the two fighters squared up for the first time during fight week, tensions immediately boiled over when Chimaev launched a push kick toward Strickland, forcing security to rush the stage and separate the pair.