Chimaev defends belt vs Strickland May 9 at UFC 328

CBS Sports updated the 2026 UFC event schedule, announcing Khamzat Chimaev's first middleweight title defense against former champion Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark, New Jersey. Earlier events include Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Malott on April 18 in Winnipeg, Aljamain Sterling vs. Youseff Zalal on April 25 in Las Vegas, and Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates on May 2 in Perth. Freedom 250 on June 14 features Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje (ic) in Washington D.C. These bookings shake up welterweight, middleweight, and lightweight divisions, positioning contenders for title contention amid a packed early-year calendar.