UFC president Dana White announced Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland as the main event for UFC 328 on May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, with Chimaev as middleweight champion. This blockbuster title fight pits the unbeaten grappler against the former champ's striking prowess, potentially reshaping the 185-pound division amid Chimaev's dominance. The announcement locks in UFC's schedule through mid-June. Additional bouts include Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo in Macau on May 30. Expect intense buildup with trash talk from Strickland. This elevates UFC 328 as a must-watch PPV.
UFC president Dana White has officially announced Khamzat Chimaev versus Sean Strickland as the main event of UFC 328, set for May 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, with the middleweight title on the line.
Strickland, the reigning 185-pound champion, enters the fight at 31-7-0. The 35-year-old American out of Xtreme Couture stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and is one of the division's most prolific volume strikers, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy. Known for his sharp output and relentless forward pressure, the orthodox southpaw has built a reputation as one of the hardest men in the division to finish.
Challenging him is Khamzat Chimaev, ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound, carrying an imposing 15-1-0 record. The 32-year-old, who competes out of the UAE and trains at Allstars Training Center, is six-foot-two and brings a suffocating wrestling-heavy game to go with genuine striking power. He averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 60 percent of his significant strikes, making him one of the most efficient fighters on the roster.
Why it matters
- Strickland's volume striking will be tested against Chimaev's elite takedown rate of 5.29 per 15 minutes, creating a compelling style clash
- A Chimaev win would confirm him as the dominant force at 185 pounds, while a Strickland victory would cement one of the sport's most remarkable title runs
- The bout reshapes the middleweight landscape regardless of the outcome, with several contenders watching closely
Also announced, Song Yadong will meet fifth-ranked bantamweight Deiveson Figueiredo in Macau on May 30. The 38-year-old Brazilian, known as "Deus da Guerra," holds a 25-6-1 record and brings a dangerous submission game averaging 1.2 attempts per 15 minutes.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
