The tension between UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and former champion Sean Strickland reached a new level during the pre-fight press conference for UFC 328. Chimaev, who represents the UAE, publicly called Strickland a coward, setting the stage for their highly anticipated main event clash.
The accusation stemmed from a logistical detail surrounding the fight week. Chimaev pointed out that Strickland chose to stay at a different hotel than the one where the champion was located. Chimaev claimed he was waiting in the lobby, implying that Strickland deliberately avoided a face-to-face encounter before their scheduled bout.
"Why did you run to another hotel? Why didn't you stay at the same hotel as me? If you're not a coward, then why? I was waiting for you in the lobby," Chimaev stated directly to Strickland during the press event. The confrontation added a personal layer to the professional rivalry between the two middleweight contenders.
The verbal sparring occurred ahead of their championship fight, which is set to headline the UFC 328 card. The event is scheduled to take place in Newark on the night of May 9th into May 10th. This bout marks a significant moment in the middleweight division, pitting the current champion against a former titleholder.
Khamzat Chimaev enters the fight as the reigning champion. He captured the title in his most recent outing, defeating South African athlete Dricus du Plessis by unanimous decision. That victory solidified his position at the top of the 185-pound weight class and set up this defense against Strickland.
Sean Strickland, meanwhile, earned his shot at the title with an impressive performance in his last fight. He secured a knockout victory over Anthony Hernandez, demonstrating the striking power that has defined his career. The win positioned him as the next challenger for Chimaev's belt.
The accusation of cowardice from Chimaev adds a psychological element to the fight preparation. Whether Strickland's hotel choice was a strategic decision or a simple coincidence remains unclear, but the champion has used it to frame the narrative leading into the octagon. Both fighters now carry the weight of this public exchange into the main event.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.
