Chimaev defends MW title vs Strickland at UFC 328

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev is scheduled to make his first title defense against former champion Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark, New Jersey. This blockbuster matchup headlines the latest 2026 event schedule release, pitting the unbeaten Chimaev against the gritty Strickland in a pivotal middleweight clash. The fight promises high stakes as Strickland seeks to reclaim the belt he once held. It underscores UFC's push for major title bouts early in the year. Expect intense buildup with potential trash talk, impacting the division's hierarchy significantly.