Overview
- Chimaev posted a 26‑second sparring clip Tuesday that showed brief striking and drew largely dismissive reactions from fans and commentators who called it inconclusive.
- Dana White canceled a promotional face‑off and the UFC separated teams into different hotels with added security to lower the risk of a pre‑fight clash.
- Chimaev told reporters he is too professional to fight outside the cage and said nothing will happen before Saturday, even as he mocked Strickland’s threats in earlier interviews.
- Strickland rejected the need for extra security, called Chimaev a coward, and kept up incendiary remarks in media scrums, including rants about Eastern fighters and corporate sponsors.
- Oddsmakers list Chimaev as a heavy favorite near -535, and the middleweight title bout headlines UFC 328 on Saturday at Newark’s Prudential Center with streaming on Paramount+.