UFC 328 press conference draws 210,000 live viewers, fifth-highest all-time

The UFC 328 press conference drew roughly 210,000 concurrent live viewers on YouTube, placing the Khamzat Chimaev versus Sean Strickland event among the most-watched UFC press conferences ever recorded.

According to the viewership data, that figure ranks fifth all-time for UFC press conference audiences and stands as the highest ever recorded for any event not featuring Conor McGregor. The top four spots are all tied to McGregor appearances, with the UFC 229 presser for Khabib versus McGregor leading the all-time list at 505,000 concurrent viewers.

Sean Strickland enters the matchup as the reigning middleweight champion, carrying a 31-7-0 record at 35 years old. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and has built his reputation on relentless output, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy.

Challenging him is Khamzat Chimaev, ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound. The 32-year-old fighting out of the United Arab Emirates holds a 15-1-0 record and trains at Allstars Training Center. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Chimaev is among the most accurate strikers in the division at 60 percent, while his grappling credentials are equally imposing — he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts in the same span.

Why it matters

• The press conference viewership surpasses every non-McGregor UFC event on record, underscoring the commercial weight of this title fight.
• A Strickland victory would further cement his standing as one of the division's most marketable champions; a Chimaev win would deliver the belt to the top-ranked contender.
• The stylistic contrast is stark: Strickland's volume striking against Chimaev's elite wrestling and finishing ability sets up a genuine clash of approaches at 185 pounds.