‘I am a terrorist for him, I’m gonna kill him’: Khamzat Chimaev responds to Strickland’s controversial remarks

Unbeaten middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has fired back at Sean Strickland for his controversial remarks during a press conference ahead of their highly anticipated bout at UFC 328, calling himself a “terrorist” who is going to “kill him”.

With the fight scheduled for May 9 at the Prudential Centre in Newark, Strickland had earlier made headlines for his string of inflammatory comments against Chimaev. “Chimaev is fuking a whre. He is third world fuking dog. Be happy, I’m making you money, you fcking terrorist.”

When asked about those remarks at a press conference, Chimaev responded with equally charged words. “I am terrorist for him. I’m gonna take off his head, I’m gonna kill him. Allah Akbar,” he said.

The exchange is the latest flashpoint in one of the most heated feuds in recent UFC memory. The rivalry between the two is believed to stem from a sparring session in 2022, which both men have referenced repeatedly in interviews and press appearances.

Strickland also told reporters at the press conference that the fight “would’ve happened no matter what, either in a fing parking lot, or in the fing Octagon”.

The animosity between the two has prompted the UFC to take unusual security measures ahead of fight night.

Officials have reportedly placed Chimaev and Strickland in separate hotels and increased protection around both fighters, including police escorts and additional security personnel, to prevent any physical confrontation before the bout.

UFC president Dana White has described the matchup as one of the most authentic rivalries the organisation has ever seen.