Chimaev defends MW title vs Strickland at UFC 328

UFC President Dana White announced that Khamzat Chimaev will defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark. This headline fight represents a significant test for Chimaev's title reign against the rising contender Strickland. The announcement came as part of White's broader scheduling updates locking in the promotion's calendar through mid-June 2026. This matchup has major implications for the middleweight division's title picture and could determine the next challenger in a competitive weight class. The fight replaces Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley, which was moved to the UFC 328 main card.