UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev will make his first title defense against former champ Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark, New Jersey. This blockbuster matchup headlines the PPV card next month, pitting the undefeated Chimaev against Strickland's elite wrestling and striking. It matters for the middleweight division as it tests Chimaev's dominance early in his reign amid rising contenders. Expect intense trash talk leading up to the event, with Strickland likely aiming to expose any weaknesses in Chimaev's game. The fight solidifies the division's title picture post-recent rankings shifts.
UFC 328
Saturday, May 9, 2026
