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 headlines the latest 2026 schedule update, pitting the undefeated Chimaev against the striking specialist Strickland in a pivotal middleweight clash. The fight promises high stakes as Strickland seeks to reclaim the belt he once held. It anchors a busy spring card following Fight Nights featuring Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal on April 25 in Las Vegas and Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates on May 2 in Perth. Expect intense buildup with trash talk from both camps; a win for either solidifies dominance in the division crowded with contenders like Dricus du Plessis.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
