Overview
- Sean Strickland defeated previously unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 to reclaim the UFC middleweight title.
- After the bout, the rivals hugged in a show of respect. UFC chief Dana White said he had expected the opposite.
- Strickland told reporters the feud was not personal. He said Chimaev may not get his joking tone and that he talks to sell fights.
- He later said he could have manufactured the animosity in his head, citing periods when he feels “mentally not well.”
- The buildup featured a press-conference kick that brought in security, as some coaches like John Kavanagh framed the trash talk as deliberate mind games.