The fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland at UFC 328, to be held in Newark, has raised the temperature to dangerous levels. Since the announcement, both have exchanged death threats, forcing the UFC to physically separate them to avoid incidents. The organization has reinforced security, prohibiting any pre-fight interaction. The atmosphere is one of maximum tension and concern.
Security technology in high-risk events 🔥
The UFC has implemented a security protocol based on advanced monitoring systems and dedicated escort personnel. Metal detectors, surveillance drones, and a behavioral analysis team are used to anticipate aggressive movements. Additionally, locker rooms have been assigned to opposite zones of the venue, and access times to the octagon are synchronized to avoid chance encounters. These measures aim to contain hostility without canceling the event.
Total separation: not a greeting, not a glance 😬
The UFC has decided that these two won't even share an elevator. Strickland already threatened to kill Chimaev, and he responded that he would put him to sleep forever. With that level of cordiality, the next step will be for them to weigh in in separate rooms behind a bulletproof wall. If they used to be separated by weight differences, now it's by differences in intentions. At least, they'll save on pyrotechnics: the tension already lights up the octagon.