Tensions between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland boiled over as Chimaev kicked Strickland following an ugly news conference before UFC 328 on Saturday.
The incident occurred despite the presence of armed police on stage. The bitter and personal exchange escalated when Chimaev beckoned Strickland towards him as the pair traded insults, before launching a kick at the American, despite being held back by UFC security.
Security and armed police escorted each fighter off stage in separate directions as they continued to hurl expletives at each other, as the crowd roared.
Heated Exchange Leads to Physical Altercation
The rivalry between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev has been brewing throughout fight week, ahead of their fight in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday.
Chimaev is set to defend his UFC middleweight title against Strickland. It is not uncommon for UFC fighters to insult each other in the hope of building hype around a fight, but Strickland has been particularly volatile while addressing Chimaev.
Strickland has launched derogatory and racist comments which have attacked Chimaev’s religion and heritage.
Strickland’s Threats and UFC’s Response
Strickland threatened to shoot Chimaev if the 32-year-old and his team-mates confronted him in the build-up to the fight. In response, the UFC has hired extra security to protect each fighter and reportedly kept the pair in separate hotels.
Despite Strickland’s derogatory comments, Chimaev has been calm and reserved during fight week, but was animated during the news conference. Security had to intervene before the pair had even taken their seats.
Strickland continued to goad Chimaev, who responded with comments about childhood trauma which the American has spoken about in the past. Strickland responded with further expletives, stating, “You’re making fun of child abuse”.
Dana White’s Stance
UFC president Dana White, who was stood between the pair, responded “it is what it is” when asked if he enjoyed the bitter rivalry between Chimaev and Strickland. He previously described it as a “top-three” heated rivalry of all time in the UFC.
Despite the offensive comments from Strickland and Chimaev, it is unlikely the UFC will take any disciplinary action. White is a vocal supporter of free speech, stating last year, “I think probably the most important free speech to protect is hate speech. Because when a government or a certain person can come out and determine saying ‘this is hate speech’, it’s a very slippery slope and it’s dangerous, in my opinion.”
Aftermath of the Kick
Strickland did not appear to be hurt by Chimaev’s kick and afterwards wrote “exactly what I expected a coward to do”, on social media.
- Khamzat Chimaev kicked Sean Strickland at the UFC 328 press conference.
- The altercation occurred despite the presence of armed police.
- Sean Strickland made derogatory comments about Khamzat Chimaev’s religion and heritage.
- Dana White supports free speech, making disciplinary action unlikely.
It is unclear whether the New Jersey Athletic Control Board will punish Chimaev for the altercation.
Throughout fight week, the rivalry between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev has been a debacle waiting to happen.