Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland turned their UFC 328 title-fight build into a physical scene when Chimaev kicked Strickland during their first faceoff.
Chimaev, the unbeaten 15-0 UFC middleweight champion, had to be separated from Strickland after the kick. Strickland, a former UFC middleweight champion with a 30-7 MMA record, shouted back while security and UFC staff stepped between them.
The matchup was already nasty before the faceoff. Strickland has questioned Chimaev’s character and Chimaev has mocked him as a “clown” before their UFC 328 meeting. The first staredown turned that tension into a physical confrontation.
Watch the first faceoff below:
https://x.com/ChampRDS/status/2052502054891880905
Khamzat Chimaev And Sean Strickland Trade Personal Shots Before The Kick
The most personal exchange came before the kick. Strickland went after Chimaev with a line about America, and Chimaev answered by bringing up Strickland’s father.
“You need to get the f*ck out of America,” Strickland said.
“Who you talking to? America loves me bro, you’re a b*tch nobody loves you. Only your daddy loves you. He beats you up I’m gonna beat you too,” Chimaev said.
Strickland has spoken publicly about growing up with an abusive father, and he immediately fired back when Chimaev went there.
“You’re making fun of child abuse, this is why you’re a f*cking animal,” Strickland said.
Watch that exchange below:
https://x.com/ChampRDS/status/2052498261630398928
Another angle showed the final seconds before the kick. Chimaev first said he would not touch Strickland, then the exchange flipped fast.
“I’m not gonna touch you,” Chimaev said.
“You ain’t gonna do sh*t dog,” Strickland replied.
“I’m gonna f*ck you up,” Chimaev said before throwing the kick.
“You f*cking b*tch. You’re a coward. I expect nothing less,” Strickland shouted after the kick.
Watch the kick angle below:
https://x.com/ChampRDS/status/2052511899691147338
Chimaev kept going after the faceoff and described a violent plan for the fight.
“Inshallah I’m gonna smash his face,” Chimaev said. “We gonna take his face, make it smashed on the ground, clean the mats from his body.”
“This f*cking coward!” Strickland shouted.
Watch Chimaev after the faceoff below:
https://x.com/ChampRDS/status/2052509176664846492
Chimaev also answered after Strickland called him a terrorist.
“I am terrorist for him,” Chimaev said. “I’m gonna take off his head, I’m gonna kill him. Allah Akbar.”
Watch that clip below:
https://x.com/ChampRDS/status/2052499933731647678
Chimaev’s resume explains why the threat carries weight. He is undefeated in MMA, owns six knockouts and six submissions, and was a three-time Swedish national freestyle wrestling champion before becoming a UFC titleholder. His last fight came at UFC 319, where he defeated Dricus du Plessis by unanimous decision to win the middleweight title.
Strickland’s side is built on pressure, durability, volume boxing, and making opponents work through ugly minutes. He has already reached the top of the same division, and his cardio and takedown defense have been part of the debate around this matchup. His last fight came at UFC Fight Night 267, where he stopped Anthony Hernandez in the third round.
