What happened: Ariel Helwani posted that Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland touched gloves twice as their UFC 328 main event got underway. The gesture came just before the opening action in Newark, where Chimaev entered for his first middleweight title defense against former champion Strickland after a heated pre-fight build.
MMA·PREVIEW·May 10, 2026 12:17 AM ET
Chimaev, Strickland touch gloves twice before UFC 328 title fight
Bad blood gives way to brief respect.
Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated May 101 min read
More on Sean Strickland
More on Sean Strickland
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- Nicksick reveals fight-corner exchange: 'I love you, coach' from bloodied Chimaev
- Helwani credits Strickland's earned shot, delivery after UFC 328 upset of Chimaev
- Sean Strickland regains UFC middleweight title with upset of Chimaev
- Helwani question follows split-decision title win for Sean Strickland at UFC 328
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