We thought the face-off was intense on Thursday, but no. At the ceremonial weigh-in on Friday, Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland went full chaos mode—without even getting within arm’s length. And yes, this is the kind of rivalry that sells itself before the first punch is thrown.
According to Jogo Hoje reporting, after that brutal pre-UFC 328 press conference (Thursday, the 7th), securityPrudential Center in New Jersey. Even with the encarada happening from a distance, the tension didn’t cool down for a second—quite the opposite. Read it in full on the Jogo Hoje homepage and you’ll see why this fight has gone viral for the wrong reasons.
The feud that started in the press conference and exploded at the weigh-in
Strickland arrived keyed up and clearly rattled, still furious about the low-blow incident from the Thursday press conference. Then Chimaev showed up the way he always does—agitated, loud, and barking like he wants the whole building to hear it.
And just like that, the security of the event moved in fast. The whole point was simple: keep them apart, stop them from getting close enough to turn words into something worse, and make sure the main event stayed on schedule.
Security tightened the leash and kept them from getting close
Even separated by distance, they still found a way to keep swinging with their mouths. No physical attack this time—but don’t mistake that for calm. This was still a pressure-cooker moment, with both men throwing threats and insults from across the stage.
Strickland’s frustration was obvious. Chimaev’s contempt was louder. And when you’ve got two fighters who talk like their gloves are already on, separation doesn’t fix the problem—it just changes the delivery.
Shots fired: accusations of kicking, cheating, and a missed weight
Chimaev didn’t hold back. He called Strickland a coward for the Thursday stunt and went after his credibility, accusing him of being a trapaceiro—and even claiming Strickland failed to hit the required cut weight on the official morning of the ceremonial weigh-in, while preparing to compete on Saturday (the 9th).
Strickland, for his part, laughed at the accusations and promised to settle it in the cage. Classic Strickland: smile, jab with words, then dare you to test him.
What’s at stake in the UFC 328 main event
This isn’t just another title fight. It’s the middleweight belt on the line—cinturão dos médios to the diehards—up to 83.9 kg, and the stakes are as clear as the disrespect on display. Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland is built on one thing: hostility that refuses to die.
Start time is 18:00 (Brasília), with the main card at 22:00 (Brasília). The hostilities might be happening at a distance on Friday, but Saturday is where it becomes real. That’s the whole point, isn’t it?
Full card and start times
Here’s the schedule for UFC 328 from the Prudential Center in New Jersey (all times Brasília):
- 18h (Brasília) Prelims
- Middleweight (up to 83.9 kg): Ateba Gautier vs Ozzy Diaz
- Welterweight (up to 77.1 kg): Joel Alvarez vs Yaroslav Amosov
- Lightweight (up to 70.3 kg): Grant Dawson vs Mateusz Rebecki
- Lightweight (up to 70.3 kg): Jim Miller vs Jared Gordon
- Middleweight (up to 83.9 kg): Roman Kopylov vs Marco Tulio Matuto
- Featherweight (up to 65.8 kg): Pat Sabatini vs William Gomis
- Middleweight (up to 83.9 kg): Baisangur Susurkaev vs Djorden Santos
- Flyweight (up to 57 kg): Clayton Carpenter vs Jose Ochoa
- 22h (Brasília) Main Card
- Middleweight (up to 83.9 kg): Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland (middleweight title fight)
- Flyweight (up to 57 kg): Joshua Van vs Tatsuro Taira (title fight)
- Heavyweight (up to 120.2 kg): Alexander Volkov vs Waldo Cortes Acosta
- Welterweight (up to 77.1 kg): Sean Brady vs Joaquin Buckley
- Lightweight (up to 70.3 kg): Bobby Green vs Jeremy Stephens
How to watch: SUPER LUTAS live in real time via TV and internet, plus Paramount+ for the full card.
O Veredito Jogo Hoje
This wasn’t a “ceremonial” moment at all—it was a warning shot with a weigh-in backdrop. Chimaev and Strickland kept it separated by security, sure, but their words still landed like punches. If you’re betting on a clean, respectful chess match, you’re already behind. This fight screams chaos, and the cage is where the hype stops and the receipts begin. Jogo Hoje calls it: Saturday is going to be ugly in the best possible way.
Perguntas Frequentes
Why did Chimaev and Strickland need to be separated at the UFC 328 weigh-in?
Because their pre-fight hostility was so heated after the Thursday press conference that event security stepped in to prevent them from getting close enough to escalate into something physical before the scheduled main event.
Who is the favorite in the main event between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland?
Market sentiment usually leans toward Chimaev’s wrestling and pressure, but Strickland’s durability and ability to fight in ugly moments keep him live. The weigh-in drama only increases the uncertainty.
What time does UFC 328 start and where can I watch live?
Prelims begin at 18:00 (Brasília), with the main card at 22:00 (Brasília). You can watch live via SUPER LUTAS and Paramount+ for the full card.
