Story perspectives

Chimaev Kicks Strickland at UFC Press Conference; Odds Favor Chimaev

5/8/2026

Summary

Chimaev Kicks Strickland

Khamzat Chimaev kicked Sean Strickland during the UFC 328 press conference in Newark, New Jersey.
UFC President Dana White allowed the face-off while police guarded the stage.
Chimaev posted a 26-second sparring video captioned “I am bullying weak people,” which Strickland said was filmed without consent.
Betting lines list Chimaev as a -600 favorite and Strickland as a +425 underdog for the May 10, 2026 bout at the Prudential Center.

Summary

Van vs Taira

The co-main event pits flyweight champion Joshua Van against Japanese challenger Tatsuro Taira, the UFC’s first title fight between two 2000s-born fighters.
UFC CEO Dana White will emcee the press conference, streamed live at 5 p.m. ET on Paramount+ and YouTube.
Heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall analyzed the main-event, highlighting Chimaev’s grappling and Strickland’s striking.
The conference is held at the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Summary

Chimaev Middleweights

Khamzat Chimaev entered UFC in 2020, beating John Phillips, Rhys McKee and Gerald Meerschaert.
A fight with Leon Edwards was cancelled after Chimaev contracted Covid-19, leading him to briefly claim retirement before withdrawing.
Chimaev missed weight by ten pounds for a Nate Diaz bout, reshuffling the card and confirming his shift to middleweight.
Sean Strickland survived a 2018 motorcycle crash, adopted a pressure-striking style, knocked out Israel Adesanya in 2023 and TKO-ed Anthony Hernandez.

History

Historical Context

UFC 1 opened on November 12 1993 in Denver’s McNichols Sports Arena, where Art Davie and Rorion Gracie staged an eight-man, no-holds-barred tournament that generated 86,592 pay-per-view buys. Royce Gracie’s quick victories highlighted the spectacle, a template echoed today as Dana White oversees Khamzat Chimaev’s confrontational press conference with Sean Strickland, reinforcing the sport’s blend of rivalry and promotion.

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Chimaev Kicks Strickland

Khamzat Chimaev kicked Sean Strickland during the UFC 328 press conference in Newark, New Jersey.
UFC President Dana White allowed the face-off while police guarded the stage.
Chimaev posted a 26-second sparring video captioned “I am bullying weak people,” which Strickland said was filmed without consent.
Betting lines list Chimaev as a -600 favorite and Strickland as a +425 underdog for the May 10, 2026 bout at the Prudential Center.

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