Sean Strickland and Bellator fighter Johnny Eblen went dirt biking together just two weeks before Strickland's championship bout against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328. After a five-round sparring session, Strickland invited Eblen to go riding on enduro bikes. Eblen had never ridden a dirt bike before, but accepted the invitation. Strickland expressed respect for Eblen's willingness to try something new while both are preparing for title fights.
Sean Strickland took a break from championship preparation in an unconventional fashion this week, hitting the trails on enduro dirt bikes alongside unbeaten Bellator middleweight Johnny Eblen just two weeks out from his title defense at UFC 328 on May 9.
The pair first went through a five-round sparring session before Strickland extended the invitation to ride. Eblen, who had never been on a dirt bike before, accepted without hesitation — something Strickland reportedly expressed genuine respect for, given that both men are deep in fight camp ahead of major bouts.
Strickland, 35, carries a 31-7-0 record into UFC 328, where he defends the middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev. Fighting out of Xtreme Couture, the six-foot-one American is one of the most active strikers in the division, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach.
His challenger, Chimaev, enters at 15-1-0 and holds the number-one middleweight ranking as well as a top-ten pound-for-pound spot. The 32-year-old representing the UAE and Allstars Training Center is a suffocating wrestler, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and posting a striking accuracy of 60 percent. At six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, "Borz" presents a complete threat across all phases.
Eblen, 34, is a perfect 16-0-0 and brings elite striking credentials of his own, posting a remarkable 12.3 significant strikes per minute at 63.4 percent accuracy — numbers that reflect both his volume and precision.
Why it matters
- Strickland's middleweight title is on the line at UFC 328, with the number-one contender Chimaev making his long-anticipated move to 185 pounds official.
- The Chimaev matchup pits Strickland's high-output boxing against the most prolific takedown artist in the division.
- Eblen's presence in Strickland's camp adds an elite striking partner ahead of what figures to be one of the most closely watched title fights of 2026.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
