Khamzat Chimaev kicked Sean Strickland in the shin during a promotional stare-down ahead of UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey, the report says.
The incident occurred despite heightened security measures during fight week, and came as UFC CEO Dana White stood between the two and instructed them to behave, the report says.
The report says animosity between the middleweights has simmered since 2022, when they briefly trained together in Las Vegas. The story notes that Strickland (30-7) has accused Chimaev (15-0) of being a “bully” in the gym, while Chimaev has denied the claim and said Strickland invented the narrative.
Per the report, Strickland has at times threatened to defend himself with a gun if Chimaev and his team attempted to assault him. In response to the tensions, the UFC added additional security this week, including a constant police presence and metal detectors at the fighter hotel in Morristown, New Jersey, and Strickland has been staying at an off-site location away from Chimaev and his team.
After Chimaev’s kick, Strickland wrote on social media, “Exactly what I expected a coward to do,” the report says. Strickland did not appear to suffer any injury, and it is unclear whether the New Jersey Athletic Control Board will seek to punish Chimaev, per the report.
Per the report, the two will meet at UFC 328 on Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, with Strickland challenging Chimaev for the 185-pound title.
