Where Did Khamzat Chimaev’s Kick Land? Dana White Shares Details About UFC 328 Presser Chaos

Khamzat Chimaev is viewed as one of the UFC’s scariest fighters because of his unpredictable persona and trash-talking. That intensity appeared during the UFC 328 press conference faceoff with arch-rival Sean Strickland. Chimaev suddenly landed an oblique kick before security separated both middleweights. The incident later prompted UFC CEO Dana White to clarify what happened on stage.

The UFC 328 press conference was undoubtedly one of the most-well-viewed events in UFC history. Fans worldwide tuned in to watch the rivalry between Chimaev and Strickland explode on microphones. Both fighters constantly exchanged insults while police and security remained positioned between them on stage. UFC officials also seated both middleweights at far opposite ends of the press conference table.

After the press conference ended, both fighters were called on stage for their final faceoff. White stood between them and asked both middleweights to behave for photographs. However, both fighters resumed trash-talking before the confrontation quickly escalated into an argument. White later appeared on a livestream with Nina Marie Daniele and revealed that Strickland was kicked in the groin area.

He kicked him in the nuts. The security guy from that angle got in the way of the kick and you know, I had Khamzat’s arms. I didn’t think he would kick him, I thought it was going to be a lot of yelling and back and forth.

Dana White via Nina Drama on Kick

Dana White says Khamzat Chimaev kicked Sean Strickland in the nuts 😭

(via @Ninadrama) https://t.co/IDtUetaxES pic.twitter.com/rQxbH86IET

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 8, 2026

Chimaev is no stranger to getting involved in physical altercations outside official UFC fights. Surprisingly, the UFC 328 kick was one of his less aggressive public incidents. At UFC 279, Chimaev clashed backstage with Kevin Holland before Nate Diaz and both camps joined the massive brawl. ‘Borz’ also shoved Ian Machado Garry backstage at UFC Qatar, prompting security to quickly separate both fighters.

Dana White has witnessed several incidents like these throughout his years running the UFC. The UFC boss has also taken strict action after physical altercations during promotional events. White notably snubbed Arman Tsarukyan after he headbutted Dan Hooker during their heated faceoff. More recently, Shahzaib Rind’s Karate Combat fight against Patricky Pitbull was canceled after a faceoff injury.

Khamzat Chimaev’s kick was undoubtedly a result of the tensions both fighters had built up over several years. The former teammates had repeatedly challenged and insulted each other before finally meeting at UFC 328. Their heated rivalry has now become one of the UFC’s most personal middleweight feuds. It remains to be seen how intense the weigh-ins and May 10 fight will become at Prudential Center.

Why did Khamzat Chimaev actually kick Sean Strickland at the UFC 328 press conference?

Sean Strickland is undoubtedly one of the UFC’s most controversial trash-talkers. The former champion regularly targets personal subjects and emotional topics during his verbal attacks. Strickland also frequently delivers expletive-filled rants directed toward rivals and opponents during UFC events. At UFC Houston, officials even cut his microphone mid-rant while he targeted Khamzat Chimaev.

However, Khamzat Chimaev completely overpowered Strickland during the UFC 328 press conference. The Chechen superstar constantly interrupted Strickland, barely allowing the controversial middleweight to speak. Chimaev also targeted Strickland’s childhood abuse trauma and repeatedly mocked him for being poor. ‘Borz’ later revealed his anger grew after Strickland made comments about his family.

If I let him speak he’s gonna speak about my mom, my dad, everyone. I needed to do something. I don’t like when he speaks about this stuff. If someone does it, you have to do it back.

Khamzat Chimaev via Adam Zubayraev

🚨😳 Khamzat says he kicked Sean Strickland and was talking over him the whole presser because Sean talked about his mother:

"If I let him speak he's gonna speak about my mom, my dad, everyone. I needed to do something.

I don't like when he speaks about this sh*t. If someone… pic.twitter.com/N2Yo6EzHQs

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 8, 2026

In the video, Khamzat Chimaev was seen speaking with legendary conditioning coach Sam Calavitta after the altercation. Calavitta, who heads Treigning Labs in Southern California, also protested that Strickland deserved the confrontation. The respected coach appeared involved in calming tensions after the chaotic incident. ‘Borz’ has trained with Calavitta throughout his preparation camp leading into UFC 328.

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