TLDR
- Sean Strickland threatened to “pull my gun” on Khamzat Chimaev’s entourage if they interfere at UFC 328
- Strickland told Chimaev’s team “I’ll shoot each and every one of you” in a public warning
- A teammate of Chimaev responded that the entourage will not jeopardize the upcoming fight
- The UFC 328 middleweight bout is a crucial matchup for both fighters’ title aspirations
- UFC officials have not yet commented on potential security measures for the event
Sources: MMA Junkie | MMA Mania | MMA UK
Sean Strickland has issued a direct warning to Khamzat Chimaev’s team ahead of their UFC 328 middleweight bout, threatening to use a gun if members of the entourage interfere during fight week. The former middleweight champion told reporters he is ready to “pull my gun” on anyone who gets involved.
“I’ll shoot each and every one of you,” Strickland said when addressing concerns about Chimaev’s team. The California-based fighter has made it clear he will not tolerate any interference from the Russian-born fighter’s camp.
Chimaev’s entourage has drawn attention in the past for their presence during fight week events. The undefeated contender often travels with a large group of training partners and associates from his team in Sweden and Chechnya.
Strickland’s threats come as UFC 328 approaches, with the middleweight clash scheduled to be one of the main attractions. The former champion is known for his outspoken personality and has never shied away from controversy.
Brendan Allen tells me Team Chimaev got stern instructions not to do anything that would risk Saturday's UFC 328 fight vs. Strickland.
"Everyone knows what's at stake and like the coaches said: If you care about Khamzat, you won't do anything fight week." pic.twitter.com/XA7ZSckicd
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) May 5, 2026
Chimaev’s Team Responds to Threats
A teammate of Chimaev has responded to Strickland’s warnings, saying the entourage will not jeopardize the upcoming fight. The team member stated they have no intention of creating problems during fight week.
The response suggests Chimaev’s camp is taking the threats seriously and wants to ensure the bout proceeds without incident. UFC officials have not yet commented on the situation or whether additional security measures will be implemented.
Chimaev has been vocal about wanting to fight for the middleweight title. The 30-year-old fighter remains undefeated in his professional MMA career with a record that includes dominant victories in the UFC.
Strickland lost his middleweight title in his last fight but remains one of the division’s top contenders. A victory over Chimaev would put him back in title contention.
History of Entourage Issues in UFC
The UFC has dealt with entourage-related incidents in the past. Fighter teams sometimes create tense situations during weigh-ins, press conferences, and other fight week events.
Security protocols are typically in place to prevent confrontations between camps. The UFC usually limits the number of people who can accompany fighters to official events.
Strickland’s decision to publicly threaten gun violence has raised eyebrows in the MMA community. The fighter is known for making controversial statements but rarely goes this far in his rhetoric.
Chimaev’s team has been present at his previous fights without major incident. The fighter’s popularity in certain regions means he often has strong support during his bouts.
UFC 328 is expected to be a high-profile event with multiple important fights on the card. The Strickland-Chimaev matchup represents a crucial bout in the middleweight division.
Both fighters have expressed confidence heading into the contest. Chimaev has stated he plans to finish Strickland and prove he deserves a title shot.
The assurance from Chimaev’s teammate that the entourage won’t interfere may help ease tensions before fight week. UFC officials will likely monitor the situation closely as the event approaches.
