Chimaev defends MW belt vs Strickland at UFC 328

Khamzat Chimaev will put his UFC middleweight title on the line for the first time when he faces former champion Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, at a venue in Newark, New Jersey. The bout will be broadcast on Paramount+.

Chimaev, known as "Borz," carries a 15-1-0 record into the fight and holds both the number-one divisional ranking and a spot at number ten on the pound-for-pound list. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains at Allstars Training Center, has built his reputation on relentless grappling, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes. He also connects at a striking accuracy rate of 60 percent, one of the sharpest marks in the division.

Strickland, nicknamed "Tarzan," enters as a former titleholder looking to reclaim middleweight gold. The 35-year-old American, who trains at Xtreme Couture, holds a 31-7-0 record and stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach. He is one of the busiest strikers in the sport, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute, and brings durable, high-volume boxing to every contest.

Why it matters

• Chimaev risks his undefeated title reign against a man who has already worn UFC middleweight gold
• Strickland's elite striking volume will test Chimaev's 60 percent accuracy and grappling-heavy style in a compelling contrast of approaches
• A Strickland victory would mark a title change and reshape the top of the 185-pound division
• The matchup raises immediate questions about who faces the winner, given the crowded middleweight contender pool