Khamzat Chimaev offers funny reason backstage clash with Sean Strickland won’t happen

Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Khamzat Chimaev offers funny reason backstage clash with Sean Strickland won’t happen

Originally posted on HITC | By Filipe Guedes | Last updated Apr 16, 2026 12:46 PM ET

Concerns have grown ahead of UFC 328 regarding Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland, who share a long-standing feud. Their rivalry has raised questions about potential incidents outside the cage.

Dana White has already taken steps to avoid problems, confirming the fighters will stay in separate hotels. A planned promotional face-off has also been cancelled to limit any unnecessary tension.

The UFC intends for both men to meet only under strict supervision on fight night. That approach reflects the seriousness of their ongoing dispute.

Khamzat Chimaev jokes about potential clash with Sean Strickland behind-the-scenes

When asked by journalist Adam Zubayraev about the possibility of their teams clashing backstage, Chimaev dismissed the idea with an unexpected response.

He said: “He doesn’t really have a team. It’s just one coach.”

Chimaev also poked fun at his relationship with Strickland’s coach, Eric Nicksick: “Yeah, he [Nicksick] likes me more.”

The middleweight champion also welcomed the decision to cancel the promotional face-off, stating he “just wants to fight.”

Khamzat Chimaev reacts to news that there might not be a Face-off between him and Sean Strickland as Dana suggested.

Says a team vs. team fight is impossible with Sean Strickland because Sean doesn't have anyone except his coach Eric Nicksick.

"And he likes me more."

… pic.twitter.com/pNn6YpDkkD
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) April 16, 2026

Long-standing feud adds tension to UFC 328 build-up

The rivalry between Chimaev and Strickland has developed over time through repeated exchanges and public criticism.

They have been teammates in the past, but things changed after tension arose in one of their training sessions. ‘Borz’ claimed that the 35-year-old started to walk with a gun around the gym after that.

Both Strickland and Chimaev traded digs on social media since then, with the former champion recently calling the Chechen fighter ‘a Madonna’.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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