Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland participated in a photoshoot for their main event matchup at UFC 328. Chimaev will be making his first title defense in this bout. For Strickland, this represents his fourth title fight in the UFC. The post includes official UFC photography from the session. No information about timing or location of the event was provided in the original post.
With UFC 328 just days away, middleweight champion Sean Strickland and top contender Khamzat Chimaev stepped in front of the cameras together for official UFC promotional photography ahead of their title clash scheduled for May 9.
Strickland, known as "Tarzan," enters the bout as the reigning middleweight champion carrying a 31-7-0 record. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, has built his reputation on relentless output, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach that allows him to work behind a persistent jab. This marks his fourth UFC title fight, underlining his sustained presence at the very top of the 185-pound division.
Chimaev, nicknamed "Borz," comes in as the division's number-one ranked contender and holds a top-ten pound-for-pound position. The 32-year-old representing the UAE and training out of Allstars Training Center carries a 15-1-0 record and brings a smothering style to the octagon, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 60 percent. According to the UFC, this bout will serve as his first middleweight title defense, suggesting he has already captured the belt at some point prior to this matchup.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's first title defense puts his unfinished business at 185 pounds on the line against a former champion
- Strickland's fourth UFC title fight appearance confirms his status as one of the division's most durable elite competitors
- The stylistic contrast is stark: Chimaev's elite grappling volume against Strickland's high-output, volume-based striking game
- A win for either man would firmly establish divisional supremacy heading into the second half of 2026
Saturday, May 9, 2026
