The trash talk for UFC 328 has taken a wild turn. With less than 10 days until fight night, Khamzat Chimaev's team is dismissing Sean Strickland's recent gun threat as nothing more than pre fight nonsense.

Strickland Claims He Would Bring a Gun

Strickland recently claimed he would bring a gun to fight week and would use it if Chimaev and his team "tried anything," escalating things far beyond typical pre fight antics. How Strickland plans to get his firearm from his residence in Las Vegas to the host hotel in Newark has yet to be explained, nor did he comment on his inevitable arrest and prison time.

Chimaev's coach, Alan Nascimento, told MMA Fighting that his team is unfazed by Strickland's threats.

"That's part of the game," Nascimento said. "But this whole thing of 'I'm going to shoot him' and all that, I think that's just nonsense. Nobody is going to take things to that level. It doesn't make sense. This whole trash talk thing is something that's accepted now, it's normal, so everyone is going to use whatever they can to try to destabilize the other person. Even if they talk about things that, from my point of view, in my humble opinion, I wouldn't do. I don't think it's a man's move when you bring up family, kids, you know? But if that's what's available, then everyone's going to use it."

Nascimento Focused on Keeping Chimaev Locked In

Nascimento emphasized that his focus is keeping Chimaev mentally locked in despite the escalating rhetoric.

"My role is simply to talk to my athlete and make sure he doesn't let this affect him mentally or psychologically because that area needs to be very well protected," Nascimento said. "We know the responsibility we have. That's my job. And Khamzat Chimaev is much more mature now. Certain things we used to have to deal with before don't happen anymore. The work is being done in a very smooth way, to be honest."

Chimaev Dismisses Strickland as a "Clown"

Chimaev himself also responded to Strickland's threat during a UFC 328 scrum in Newport Beach, California.

"Clowns always talk," Chimaev told media. "Bro, he hasn't shot any chickens in the world, how is he going to shoot a human? I don't think the guy wants a war outside the cage; if he wanted it, he'd be dead already."

Chimaev also pointed out that the fight location plays in his favor.

"Bro, in New Jersey, this is a Muslim community, it's my home, so I don't think he's going to come out with a gun there. Otherwise, there would be a lot of people in jail."

Chimaev Loves the Hype

While the rhetoric continues to escalate, Chimaev admitted there is a silver lining to Strickland's trash talk.

"I love it," Chimaev said. "I love the UFC, I love Sean Strickland and what he's talking about, making a big fight, letting me make money."

UFC 328 Main Event Details

Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) defends his middleweight title for the first time against Strickland (30-7 MMA, 17-7 UFC) in the UFC 328 main event on Saturday, May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The event streams live on Paramount+.

Dana White has confirmed extra security measures for fight week, including separate hotels for the fighters, following the heated exchanges.

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Full UFC 328 Main Card (9 p.m. ET on Paramount+)

185 lbs. Title: Khamzat Chimaev (c) vs. Sean Strickland

125 lbs. Title: Joshua Van (c) vs. Tatsuro Taira

275 lbs.: Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes Acosta

170 lbs.: Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley

205 lbs.: Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov 2

185 lbs.: Ateba Gautier vs. Osman Diaz

UFC 328 Prelims Card (5:30 p.m. ET on Paramount+)

155 lbs.: King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens

185 lbs.: Roman Kopylov vs. Marco Tulio

125 lbs.: Clayton Carpenter vs. Jose Ochoa

185 lbs.: Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Djorden Santos