Chimaev’s comments come at a good time, with UFC President Dana White needing some positive news around the main event ahead of UFC 328.
UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev will make his first title defence since beating Dricus du Plessis in August 2025.
The card, headlined by Chimaev vs Strickland, is set for Prudential Center in Newark and features two title fights.
Tensions have risen in recent weeks between Chimaev and Strickland, raising concerns about a possible altercation before fight night.
Khamzat Chimaev says he is now too ‘professional’ to fight Sean Strickland before UFC 328
There’s evidently concern in the UFC about Saturday’s two headliners coming to blows during fight week. Dana White cancelled Chimaev’s Paramount face-off with Strickland over fears the two rivals would get physical.
And worries grew shortly before fight week in New Jersey commenced after Strickland made a gun threat to Chimaev.
But while ‘Borz’ has not been afraid to get involved in altercations outside of the Octagon in the past, he’s assured the promotion that is no longer the case.
“That loudmouth talks too much, but nothing is going to happen,” Chimaev said in a recent video uploaded to Adam Zubayraev’s YouTube channel. “How are you supposed to fight with hundred people around?
“We’ll show our emotions in the cage. I came here to make money. I moved past that unprofessional stage a long time ago.
“I hope he steps in the cage, we both perform well, recover well too. Hopefully we’ll put a great fight for you guys,” he added.
Khamzat hasn’t always stayed clear of fights away from the cage. He had run-ins with Paulo Costa and Kevin Holland at UFC 279, as well as Nate Diaz back when they were scheduled to face off.
The UFC will be keeping a close eye on things this week after Strickland also took issue with Du Plessis’ comments leading up to their title fight at UFC 296 and went after him during media obligations.
The security team will be ready again this time around for Thursday’s press conference and Friday’s weigh-in just like they were back then, given how easily it could have boiled over again if not for intervention from security on that occasion.
Read more: