Luke Rockhold has added a controversial layer to fight week ahead of UFC 328, claiming he’s heard talk that Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov could be present in Khamzat Chimaev’s corner.
“Borz” is set to defend his middleweight title for the first time against Sean Strickland in the main event this weekend at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. But beyond the matchup itself, outside narratives are already shaping the event’s tone.
Speaking during a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Rockhold claimed:
“It sounds like we might have Kadyrov in his corner, so I think he’s pretty safe within his mindset. We’ll see how it goes. This fight week is gonna be interesting,”
The former UFC middleweight champion also referenced recent comments from Strickland, adding another unpredictable element to the buildup.
“Sean was saying he’s gonna bring a gun. I’m not sure if you can bring a gun out there in New Jersey, but they better check it. Sean is not a real threat in the world of what he’s dealt with and who he deals with.”
Chimaev’s Long-Standing Ties To Kadyrov
Chimaev’s connection to Kadyrov has been well-documented throughout his career. Following his title-winning performance against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025, the “Borz” traveled to Chechnya, where he was welcomed by Kadyrov and celebrated in front of a large crowd.
During the visit, Chimaev was seen handing over his championship belt as they posed for photos together.
The relationship between the two dates back several years. The controversial leader attended Chimaev’s wedding in 2022, and the pair have frequently been seen training together. However, those ties have also drawn scrutiny, with Kadyrov facing international criticism and sanctions over alleged human rights abuses.
At one point, Chimaev’s association with Kadyrov reportedly complicated his ability to travel to the United States. Those issues have since been resolved, allowing him to compete freely under the UFC banner.