Heightened security measures are already visible ahead of the UFC 328 pre-fight press conference as tensions continue to escalate between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.
Videos circulating on social media from the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House at the Prudential Center showed an unusually large police presence before Thursday’s press conference even began.
Additional footage also revealed the UFC seating Chimaev and Strickland noticeably far apart on stage, a clear sign the promotion is taking extra precautions before Saturday’s middleweight title fight in Newark, New Jersey.
The UFC 328 press conference is expected to feature all four championship fighters from this weekend’s pay-per-view card, including flyweight champion Joshua Van and challenger Tatsuro Taira. But much of the attention has centered on the increasingly hostile feud between Chimaev and Strickland.
UFC Ramps Up Security Amid Escalating Threats
The buildup to the fight has taken a darker tone in recent days after both men made alarming comments regarding potential confrontations outside the cage.
“Borz” previously suggested that he and members of his team could confront Strickland during fight week, while Strickland responded by referencing “stand your ground” laws and implying he would defend himself with a firearm if necessary.
That exchange appears to have prompted the UFC to significantly tighten security around both fighters throughout the week.
According to reports from Newark, several uniformed Morristown police officers have been assigned to the event in an effort to prevent any physical altercations before fight night. Extra coordination has also reportedly been implemented whenever Strickland moves through media areas or backstage sections of the venue.
Strickland recently claimed that his primary concern is not Chimaev himself, but the possibility of being confronted by the champion’s large entourage during fight week.
Meanwhile, Chimaev hinted that Strickland is staying separately from the rest of the UFC roster, further fueling speculation about how seriously the promotion is treating the situation behind the scenes.