Khamzat Vs. Strickland Beef, Explained

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 07: (L-R) Opponents Khamzat Chimaev of Russia and Sean Strickland face off during the UFC 328 press conference at Prudential Center on May 07, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC) It’s not every day a UFC fighter threatens to shoot another Octagon combatant. With UFC 328 just hours away, how did we get to the point that Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland are openly threatening one another and throwing kicks at face-offs ?

This is a very high-level matchup and interesting style clash that would surely draw well already, yet it feels like the feud is only ramping up further as the bout approaches. Before the Middleweights actually throw down with gold on the line, let’s establish a timeline and explain how this beef began in the first place. Origins In 2022, Khamzat Chimaev and his Smesh Bro Darren Till visited Las Vegas to train at Xtreme Couture, Sean Strickland’s primary gym.

At the time, Chimaev was still a Welterweight contender, getting ready to fight Nate Diaz at UFC 279. When the two were competing in different divisions, they were willing to train together and seemed friendly enough. “Be nice,” Strickland told Chimaev .

“Khamzat, understand you’re better than everybody, so just don’t hurt people. ” Who got the better of those sparring sessions remains a topic of debate to this day. Title Contentions In the fall of 2023, Sean Strickland was UFC champion, while both Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus du Plessis were angling for a shot at Dricus du Plessis’ Middleweight crown.