The UFC has tightened security around UFC 328 as Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland head into a volatile undisputed middleweight title fight in Newark, New Jersey.
Chimaev and Strickland, former training partners turned rivals, headline UFC 328 on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Prudential Center, with officials increasing security for all fight-week activities, including the press conference, weigh-ins, and staredowns.
Tensions spiked during Thursday’s faceoff when Chimaev kicked Strickland below the belt, nearly triggering a brawl between the two sides.
The buildup to the main event has featured threats, religious insults, and other personal attacks, including Strickland threatening earlier in the week to shoot the UFC champion and his team if they approached him before the fight.
Despite the intensity, UFC president Dana White is embracing the chaos. “It doesn’t scare me,” White said, adding, “It’s been a minute since I’ve had a fight that’s had this much heat on it. Ya know, it’s exciting.”
