Khamzat Chimaev’s latest social media manoeuvre has misfired spectacularly, as his leaked sparring footage with Sean Strickland has been met with ridicule rather than intimidation. With UFC 328 looming at the Prudential Center, the middleweight champion hoped to send a message—but instead fans are lining up to mock the brief clip.
Inside the leaking of the sparring footage
Chimaev, set to defend his middleweight title against Strickland on Saturday night, surprised followers by dropping 26 seconds of their past session on Twitter. The short video shows the pair trading strikes, with Chimaev claiming he was “bullying weak people” in the clip’s caption. While no submissions are visible, sources suggest Khamzat dominated the grappling exchanges—though none of that appeared in the released snippet.
Fan reaction and social media backlash
Even with over half a million views, the response was overwhelmingly negative. “You did absolutely nothing kid,” one fan wrote, while another taunted, “You’re DEAD Saturday.” The consensus online is that the footage lacks context and fails to showcase Chimaev’s renowned wrestling and submission prowess. Some observers speculate the leak was an attempt to lull Strickland into complacency, but critics say it has done the opposite, fuelling confidence in the challenger.
Stakes for UFC 328 main event
The feud between Chimaev and Strickland has been one of the sport’s most bitter, with verbal jabs traded since their first encounter at Xtreme Couture in 2022. For the champion, this defence represents both a chance to silence doubters and secure what he hopes will be his last payday at middleweight. Strickland, meanwhile, sees the leaks as nothing but noise, insisting he remembers every detail of their sparring and will be ready when the cage door closes.
As fight night approaches, Chimaev’s viral clip may have done more to bolster his opponent than the champion himself. When they finally face off at UFC 328, all talk of sparring highlights will be settled inside the octagon.
FAQ
When is Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland at UFC 328?
The middleweight title fight tops UFC 328 on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
What happened in the leaked sparring video?
Chimaev shared a 26-second clip of striking exchanges with Strickland, captioned “bullying weak people,” but it omitted the grappling and submissions reportedly in his favour.
Why did fans mock the footage?
Viewers criticised the clip for being too short and lacking context, arguing it fails to demonstrate Chimaev’s wrestling and submission skills.
How does this affect the UFC 328 main event?
The leak has intensified the rivalry and may have inadvertently boosted Strickland’s confidence, setting the stage for an explosive title fight.
