Sean Strickland rides dirt bikes with Jonny Eblen two weeks before UFC 328

Sean Strickland raised eyebrows this week after spending time on dirt bikes with Bellator middleweight champion Jonny Eblen just two weeks out from his UFC 328 title defense against Khamzat Chimaev, scheduled for May 9.

The outing came about after Strickland and Eblen shared a hard five-round training session, after which the UFC middleweight champion invited his training partner to go cross-country motorcycle riding. Eblen had no prior experience on dirt bikes, yet accepted the invitation regardless. Strickland praised Eblen's willingness to embrace the risk so close to both men's respective championship bouts.

Strickland, 35, carries a 31-7 record into UFC 328 and has long been known for an unconventional approach to camp life. 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 and throwing with a 76-inch reach.

Standing across from him will be Khamzat Chimaev, ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound. The 32-year-old carries a 15-1 record and represents one of the most well-rounded threats in the sport, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 60 percent striking accuracy. The six-foot-two UAE-based Swede has looked virtually untouchable for most of his career.

Why it matters

• Strickland's relaxed pre-fight routine stands in sharp contrast to the methodical preparation typically associated with elite title defenses.
• Chimaev's elite grappling rate and high striking accuracy present a layered challenge for a fighter whose game is built on high-volume boxing and forward pressure.
• Both men enter as champions in their respective organizations, giving the fight additional cross-promotional weight beyond the UFC title itself.