UFC 328: Khamjat Chimayev kicks Shawn Strickland despite armed police presence after ugly exchange

Khamjat Chimayev kicked Sean Strickland – despite the presence of armed police on stage – as the pair faced off after an ugly press conference ahead of UFC 328 on Saturday.

A bitter and personal exchange escalated when Chimaev, despite being held back by UFC security, pointed Strickland at him as the pair traded insults before kicking the American.

As the crowd roared, security and armed police escorted each fighter from the stage in separate directions as they continued to throw explosives at each other.

Russian-Emirati middleweight champion Chimayev threatens to spill the beans throughout fight week as he defends his belt against American Strickland in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday.

It’s not uncommon for UFC fighters to insult each other in hopes of building publicity around the fight, but Strickland became particularly volatile when addressing Chimayev — launching into derogatory and racist comments that attacked his religion and heritage.

Last week, Strickland threatened to shoot Chimayev if the 32-year-old and his teammates confronted him about a fight.

In response, the UFC hired extra security to protect each fighter and reportedly put the pair in separate hotels.

Chimaev was quiet and reserved during the week of the fight, despite Strickland’s disparaging comments, but was animated during the press conference.

Before the pair could even take their seats, security had to intervene and, to Strickland Chimaev’s continued guffaws, he responded with lewd comments about childhood traumas the American had told in the past.

“You’re kidding about child abuse,” replied Strickland, who followed with more condemnation.

When asked if he enjoyed the bitter rivalry between Chimayev and Strickland, UFC president Dana White – who stood between the pair – replied “It is what it is”.

He previously described it as the “top-three” heated rivalry of all time in the UFC.

Despite Strickland and Chimaev’s outrageous comments, it’s unlikely the UFC will take any disciplinary action against White, a vocal supporter of free speech.

“I think perhaps the most important freedom to protect is hate speech.” Dr. White last year.

“Because when a government or a certain person can come out and decide ‘this is hate speech,’ that’s a very slippery slope and that’s dangerous in my opinion.”

Strickland didn’t seem hurt by Chimaev’s kick and later wrote on social media, “I hoped like a coward.”

It is unclear whether the New Jersey Board of Athletic Control will punish Chimayev for the controversy.