UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev will make his first title defense against former champion Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark, New Jersey. This blockbuster matchup pits the undefeated Chimaev against the gritty Strickland in a pivotal fight for middleweight supremacy. The announcement highlights Chimaev's rapid rise and Strickland's quest for redemption after losing the belt. It shapes the division's future, potentially solidifying Chimaev's reign or opening the title picture. Expect intense buildup with trash talk from both sides leading to the PPV event.
UFC 328
Saturday, May 9, 2026
