Ahead of UFC 328, fans fully expected the press conference to go off the rails, and Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland didn’t disappoint. With multiple teams of UFC security guards and New Jersey police officers lining the stage, the two launched straight into a barrage of insults and threats, rarely managing a full sentence without cursing. Their bad blood stretched back a few years to a brief stint training together at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, where their clashing personalities convinced coaches they were not suited to be sparring partners.

“I would beat him up every day. He’s never going to beat me,” he said on Thursday of those old rounds. “I’ve submitted him many times. He knows about it. The guys (in the gym) know about it. He’s not happy, that’s why he’s stressed.” That simmering tension came to a head at the face-off, when Chimaev kicked Strickland in the groin, forcing security and police to swarm the stage and tear them apart, and sending the former 185-pound champion straight to X afterward to publicly blast “Borz” for the attack, just as the real fight still loomed ahead.

“Exactly what I expected a coward to do,” the former middleweight champion wrote. But what really happened?

The tension inside Prudential Center showed up long before the fighters did. Security lined the stage, armed police stood nearby, and UFC officials looked braced for trouble from the opening minute. That caution proved necessary. What began as verbal shots quickly turned sharper once the rivals stepped closer, adding fuel to a feud that has grown intensely personal in recent months.

Knowing that things could get out of hand, for the press conference, UFC had arranged heavy security to prevent any physical altercation. As per reports, Dana White had six security guards alongside two police officers stationed nearby, but that wasn’t enough to stop the tension from snapping.

Dana tried to keep a lid on it, sensing what was coming. “Be good, guys,” White warned, but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. The moment they faced off, the insults came fast. Chimaev, reacting to previous comments from Strickland, didn’t hold back.

“I am a terrorist for him. I’m gonna take off his head. I’m gonna kill him!” Chimaev shouted. “I’m not going to touch you,” he could be heard at one point. To which Strickland fired back, “You ain’t going to do s***.”

Things spilled over within seconds. Chimaev suddenly threw a kick at Strickland’s lower body. It’s still unclear where it landed, but Strickland stumbled backward as security rushed in. White stood just inches away as it unfolded. The buildup had already carried a dark edge all week, with both fighters trading insults tied to politics, religion, nationality, and personal beliefs. Even White admitted the tension was impossible to ignore.

“It is what it is,” White said. Quite a turn of events, but not the first of its kind for the UFC.

Back in 2021 at UFC 264, Conor McGregor faced Dustin Poirier with fire in his eyes. He started with sharp insults at the pre-fight presser, then launched a front kick right at Poirier during the staredown. Dana White and security dove in quickly to pull them apart.

Fans have known this play all too well. McGregor made that kick infamous in the heated buildup to their trilogy clash. He spent the night slinging threats and painting the fight as deep personal payback, while Poirier held steady and let the tension simmer.

As the staredown hit its boiling point, the room pulsed with raw energy. McGregor’s sudden strike flipped standard hype into a live spark on dry tinder. White flipped roles on a dime, turning promoter into instant peacemaker.

Now, fans roast Strickland over Chimaev after the latest wild face-off. They point to “Tarzan’s” long history of trash-talking Khamzat and claim he played the victim once the kick landed.

Fans troll Sean Strickland after Khamzat Chimaev attack

One fan quickly chimed in and wrote, “Dude, you literally brought religion, country, and everything into this and then plays victim…. 😂😂 you’re a joke.” Following that comment, another user reminded Strickland that there are consequences to words, noting, “You’re calling someone a coward when you’re the one bringing up his country, his countrymen, and his religion into your trash talking. There’s always a line you don’t cross in trash-talking.”

During the lead-up, the Nevada native has been visibly insulting Chimaev’s home country, his political leaders, and his religion, which has made the rivalry all the more personal.

As a result, the Chechen MMA star’s fans have passionately disliked Sean Strickland, and they continued doing so after the UFC 328 press conference altercation. One fan commented, “That kick in the b—s must’ve reminded you of your childhood days when your dad used to beeeeeeat the sh-t out of you. 😭😭”

Sean Strickland has repeatedly spoken about his traumatic childhood and abusive father, something his opponents have often used against him. Most notably, Dricus du Plessis brought it up during the UFC 297 pre-fight press conference, and yesterday, Chimaev also decided to bring it up.

The backlash continued as another user predicted Chimaev would dominate him in their main event in Newark, stating, “Khamzat Chimaev is going to ragdoll you and make it look effortless. This isn’t some ordinary wrestler you’ve stuffed before.” So far, oddsmakers have also placed ‘Borz’ as a massive favorite to beat Strickland. However, not everyone is hating on the former middleweight champion.

One fan supported him, writing, “Kill him Sean, don’t go out and do your jabs and high knees, I want you to POUNCE ON HIM LIKE A LION!” Another user wrote, “Strickland please win Saturday night🙏🏽 so excited cause it’s my first UFC live event, taking my mom, big fan of yours. Can’t wait to see you in action.”

Strickland definitely still has support from fans to reclaim his title on May 9. Some fighters like Jorge Masvidal and analysts like Din Thomas are also putting their bets on him to end Chimaev’s undefeated run in MMA, a result that would make the groin kick and everything that followed look very different in retrospect.