Sean Strickland has voiced his disapproval of the heightened security measures surrounding him during UFC 328 fight week, perceiving them as excessive. He used this situation to further his ongoing verbal sparring with middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and his supporters.
Reports and footage from fight week indicated a significant police presence at the host hotel and areas designated for fighters, part of the UFC’s comprehensive security plan for the Chimaev–Strickland main event in New Jersey. When questioned about the officers stationed near him, Strickland downplayed the necessity of such a robust security detail.
Strickland Accuses Chimaev’s Supporters of Lacking Dignity
Strickland stated that he believes the security is “pretty not necessary,” contending that Chimaev himself would not engage in a physical confrontation outside of the octagon. Instead, he suggested the real threat would come from what he described as Chimaev’s “ten friends,” warning that any such intervention would result in significant financial losses for the promotion. He then contrasted this with his own fanbase, asserting that his supporters “have dignity” and would never resort to ganging up on an opponent, unlike what he claims of Chimaev’s entourage. Strickland’s remarks were delivered with his characteristic bluntness and profanity, continuing a pattern of inflammatory statements that have become a hallmark of his fight week appearances.
This commentary comes amidst an unusually stringent security operation by the UFC for UFC 328. UFC President Dana White has already confirmed additional measures for the week, including increased security personnel, law enforcement presence at hotels and venues, and even plans to house Chimaev and Strickland in separate hotels to minimize the possibility of an unsanctioned altercation. This approach underscores the deeply personal nature of their rivalry, which has seen months of exchanged insults concerning culture, religion, and lifestyle across interviews and social media.
Khamzat Chimaev has adopted a different perspective on the increased police presence. In a recent interview, he expressed no concern about potential backstage conflicts, claiming that the security is “for Sean Strickland’s safety,” thereby shifting the narrative back onto the challenger and keeping the rivalry in the spotlight. Combined with Strickland’s latest remarks, the main event is shaping up to be exceptionally volatile, even by contemporary UFC standards.
Strickland and Chimaev share a history rooted in intense sparring sessions and years of public exchanges. This tension has permeated every aspect of UFC 328 fight week. Their recent press events have been marked by walk-offs, verbal threats, and accusations of crossing boundaries for promotional purposes, fueling concerns that an off-camera incident could jeopardize the middleweight title fight. This risk appears to be a primary driver behind the UFC’s decision to involve law enforcement and enhance security beyond standard fight-week protocols.