UFC 328 photo session features Chimaev defending title vs Strickland

Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev stood face to face for the UFC 328 promotional photo session on May 6, offering the first official imagery ahead of their middleweight championship main event scheduled for May 9.

Strickland, known as "Tarzan," enters the bout as the reigning middleweight champion, carrying a 31-7-0 record into what will be his fourth UFC title fight. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture and stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, has built his reputation on relentless output, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy. His willingness to stand center cage and press forward has made him one of the most active champions in the division.

Chimaev, the 32-year-old contender representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center, comes in ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound. The fighter known as "Borz" holds a 15-1-0 record and brings an overwhelming grappling threat, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.8 submission attempts in the same span. His 60 percent striking accuracy also ranks among the sharpest in the weight class.

Why it matters

• Chimaev is making his first middleweight title defense, giving the bout added historical weight for his championship tenure
• Strickland steps in for his fourth UFC title fight, underlining his sustained presence at the top of the 185-pound division
• The matchup pits Strickland's high-volume striking output against Chimaev's elite grappling and takedown efficiency, creating a sharp stylistic contrast
• At six-foot-two and 191 cm of reach, Chimaev holds a slight physical edge, though Strickland's 76-inch reach is nearly even