TLDR
- Khamzat Chimaev says he doesn’t want to kill Sean Strickland in the cage, but street rules would be different
- The UFC 328 title fight takes place May 9 in Newark, New Jersey
- Dana White has cancelled promotional face-offs and will keep fighters in separate hotels
- Chimaev joked that Strickland only has one coach while he has a full team
- The fighters were once training partners but their relationship soured after a gym incident
Sources: mmafighting.com | yardbarker.com
Khamzat Chimaev says Sean Strickland should consider himself lucky their UFC 328 fight will take place inside the octagon. The middleweight champion made the comments while discussing their upcoming May 9 title fight in Newark, New Jersey.
In a vlog posted by Adam Zubayraev, Chimaev responded to a question about whether security would need to pull him off Strickland even after finishing his opponent. His answer drew on a famous movie quote while drawing a clear line between sport and street violence.
“I don’t want to kill a man,” Chimaev said in Russian. “Haram. No. They wouldn’t let me kill him there anyway. Out on the street, that’s different—if he dies, he dies. But in the cage, it’s sport.”
The undefeated champion won the middleweight title with a decision victory over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025. That performance was criticized by some fans, but Chimaev built his reputation on explosive finishes earlier in his career.
Khamzat Chimaev was asked if he would let go if he get Strickland in a submission and he taps. 😐
🗣️🇷🇺 Khamzat Chimaev:
"I don't want to k*ll him, that's haram. It's just sports." pic.twitter.com/7eHpjo0wKa— Smesh Talk (@SmeshTalk) April 16, 2026
Champion Has No Preference on How He Wins
Chimaev destroyed his first four UFC opponents with brutal efficiency. He scored a 17-second knockout over Gerald Meerschart and recorded first-round finishes against Li Jingliang and Rhys McKee.
His first decision came against welterweight contender Gilbert Burns in a thrilling three-round fight that earned both fighters a Fight of the Night bonus. When asked how he plans to defeat Strickland, Chimaev said he has no specific strategy in mind.
“Honestly, I don’t think about that at all,” Chimaev said. “I’m just training for now. Whatever happens, happens. I always picture victory, but only the Almighty knows how it will happen. By any means.”
The champion also addressed what would happen if he runs into Strickland before fight night. “I want to fight,” he said. “We still have to fight anyway. I move according to the situation.”
UFC Takes Steps to Keep Fighters Apart
The tension between Chimaev and Strickland has forced UFC CEO Dana White to take precautions. White confirmed the fighters will stay in separate hotels during fight week.
The promotion has also cancelled a planned promotional face-off between the two. White said the UFC plans to keep them far apart until they walk to the cage on fight night.
When journalist Zubayraev asked about the possibility of a backstage clash between their teams, Chimaev dismissed the idea with humor. “He doesn’t really have a team,” Chimaev said. “It’s just one coach.”
The champion then joked about his relationship with Strickland’s coach, Eric Nicksick. “Yeah, he likes me more,” Chimaev said.
Chimaev welcomed the decision to cancel the promotional face-off. He said he “just wants to fight” when the time comes.
The rivalry between the two fighters has roots in their past training relationship. They were once teammates, but tension arose during a training session that changed their relationship.
Strickland, the former middleweight champion, has been vocal on social media about his dislike for Chimaev. He recently called the Chechen fighter “a Madonna” in one exchange.
Chimaev claimed Strickland started carrying a gun around the gym after their training session incident. Both fighters have traded insults online since then, building up what promises to be a heated title fight.
UFC 328 takes place on May 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
