The tension is palpable as UFC 328 draws near, and the first official face-off between middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and challenger Sean Strickland is set to electrify the pre-fight press conference this Thursday. Scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. ET, this event marks the first time these two volatile fighters will be in close quarters, and the UFC has already ramped up security measures to keep the peace. Given their history of heated exchanges, fans can expect fireworks—or perhaps a full-blown explosion—when they step on stage.

Chimaev enters his first title defense after a dominant performance against Dricus du Plessis in August, where he mauled his way to the belt. On the other side, Strickland is riding momentum from his recent victory over Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez, making this his fourth shot at UFC gold. The stakes couldn't be higher, and the animosity between these two has only fueled the hype for Saturday's main event.

But the drama doesn't stop there. The co-main event will also take center stage, featuring flyweight champion Joshua Van defending his title against Tatsuro Taira. Originally slated for April at UFC 327, the fight was postponed after Van dealt with a minor injury. Now fully recovered, Van is ready to prove his mettle against Taira, and their face-off promises to add even more intensity to the press conference.

Whether you're tuning in for the main event fireworks or the co-main clash, this press conference is a must-watch for any MMA fan. Catch all the action live at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT in the video above—and don't forget to gear up for fight night with the latest UFC-inspired apparel to show your support.