Dana White revealed that Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland’s Middleweight Championship bout at UFC 328 can be subject to higher security.
Chimaev can be making the primary defense of the title he won last 12 months against Strickland, who can be himself trying to recapture the title he lost in 2024 to the person Chimaev beat, Dricus Du Plessis.
The fight carries a grudge beyond the title with Strickland labeling Chimaev a “terrorist,” citing his relationship with Ramzan Kaydrov, Head of the Chechen Republic. After Chimaev won the title in August last 12 months, Strickland said on Instagram: “Cannot have a terrorist as champion, sadly I believe I’m the just one to alter that.”
Strickland echoed much the identical, this time crossing into Islamophobia, in February as he vied for the spot against Chimaev against Nassourdine Imavov: “Do you must see two f***ing terrorist Muslims fight one another?”
Speaking of the fight to “Spinning Backfist” White confirmed that the animosity continues to be at a level where they’ve had to extend security, in addition to deciding to not proceed with a face-to-face segment.
“I hope someone told them [we’re not doing that],” he said. “No bulls***. We will beef up security, law enforcement, the whole lot for that fight.”
When asked what that meant, White said it was about considering all possibilities. “All of it, hotels bumping into one another,” he continued. When asked if that meant separate hotels for the fighters, White said, “Definitely. That is definitely going to occur.”
UFC 328 is scheduled for May 9 on the Prudential Center in Newark, Recent Jersey.