Staredowns! Khamzat Chiamev kicks Sean Strickland during UFC 328 press conference face offs

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 07: (L-R) Khamzat Chimaev of Russia kicks Sean Strickland during a face off on stage at the UFC 328 press conference at Prudential Center on May 07, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) held its official pre-fight press conference on Thurs. (watch here) for the upcoming fun fifth Paramount+ numbered event, UFC 328, locked and loaded for this weekend (Sat., May 9, 2026) inside Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

The main and co-main event fighters were on hand and came face-to-face following the press conference festivities, setting the tone for what promises to be a wild night of fights.

That includes the night’s headliners as UFC Middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev defends his title for the very first time against No. 3 contender Sean Strickland in a fight that has some truly bad blood attached.

And just when everyone thought the presser was going to end with a somewhat peaceful face-off, Chimaev kicked Strickland, which forced all of the police and extra security to get involved and pull the fighters away.

Nevertheless, in the co-main event, Flyweight champion also defends his title for the first time against in the very first fight between fighters born in the 2000s.