Aug 16, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, UNITED STATES; Dricus Du Plessis Murphy (red gloves) fights Khamzat Chimaev (blue gloves) during UFC 319 at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Things have escalated to a boiling point in the UFC middleweight division as Saturday’s UFC 328 event in Newark, N.J., approaches. Newly crowned middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev looks to settle unfinished business with former champion Sean Strickland in the main event of a 13-fight card.
The once-close friends turned bitter rivals exchanged racial insults Thursday evening at the Prudential Center during a heated pre-fight press conference in front of a rowdy crowd. After the traditional ceremonial faceoff, security had to pull both fighters off the stage when Chimaev kicked Strickland in the leg, marking a tense climax to a chaotic week of separation before the bout.
Strickland (30-7 MMA) was visibly frustrated throughout the press conference, repeatedly shouting at Chimaev (15-0 MMA) about his Russian heritage and his current classification as a fighter from the United Arab Emirates. In response, Chimaev brought up Strickland’s abusive father and childhood trauma.
“He’s going to be dead in two days,” Chimaev said. ” … I’ll be your daddy in the cage. I’ve been all day, every day, your daddy. You know about it. I’m your daddy. Listen to your daddy.”
UFC CEO Dana White described the rivalry as one of the top three in the promotion’s history, citing the intense bad blood between the two fighters.
Unlike Dricus du Plessis, who lost to Chimaev at UFC 319 after Chimaev dominated with his wrestling, Strickland made one thing clear: “They don’t want to watch a boring-ass f****** fight. I want you to wrestle. I will outwrestle you.”
Strickland also referenced a 2022 sparring session against Chimaev that has
