Conor McGregor published a social media post regarding the upcoming title fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland at UFC 328. The post generated confusion, as there are no scheduled title fights at lightweight or featherweight on that card. McGregor's commentary on other fighters' bouts has been a recurring theme during his extended absence. The Chimaev-Strickland bout is expected to determine the next middleweight contender. McGregor's post did not clarify his own fight plans. His social media activity continues to draw attention despite lacking substance about his return.
Conor McGregor took to social media ahead of UFC 328 to weigh in on the middleweight title fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland, a bout the Irishman has no involvement in. The post drew immediate confusion given that McGregor competes at lightweight or featherweight, and neither division has a title fight scheduled on that card. As has become a pattern during his prolonged absence from competition, McGregor offered no clarity on when or whether he intends to return to the octagon.
Sean Strickland, nicknamed "Tarzan," enters UFC 328 as the reigning middleweight champion with a record of 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 sport's highest-volume strikers, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute. He defends the belt against the division's top-ranked contender.
Khamzat Chimaev, known as "Borz," brings a 15-1-0 record into the fight and enters ranked tenth pound-for-pound. The 32-year-old representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center is six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach. His game is built around elite wrestling — 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes — combined with striking accuracy of 60 percent, among the highest in the division.
McGregor, 37, carries a career record of 22-6-0 and has not competed since suffering a leg injury years ago. The southpaw from SBG Ireland lands 5.32 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy across his career, but his future in the sport remains publicly undefined.
Why it matters
- Chimaev and Strickland are set to meet with the middleweight title on the line at UFC 328 on May 9
- McGregor's post adds noise around a fight that has nothing to do with his divisions
- His continued social media presence around other fighters' matchups keeps his name in circulation while his own return timeline stays unclear
- The middleweight title picture will be significantly shaped by whoever emerges from this contest
Saturday, May 9, 2026
