UFC 328 takes place tomorrow, May 9, 2026, in Newark, New Jersey, featuring middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev making his first title defense against former champion Sean Strickland. The card also includes a bantamweight title fight between Petr Yan and Merab Taira, plus a heavyweight bout featuring Alexander Volkov against Tai Tuivasa. The event will be broadcast on Paramount+. Chimaev and Strickland have significant bad blood, adding intrigue to the main event matchup.
UFC 328 arrives in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday, May 9, 2026, headlined by a middleweight title fight carrying genuine personal animosity between champion Khamzat Chimaev and former titleholder Sean Strickland.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," puts his belt on the line for the first time after compiling a remarkable 15-1-0 professional record. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains at Allstars Training Center, is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport. He averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 60 percent of his significant strikes, a combination that has made him exceptionally difficult to gameplan against. He also sits at number 10 in the pound-for-pound rankings.
Strickland, the 35-year-old American out of Xtreme Couture, brings a 31-7-0 record and returns to the title picture as a former champion with a point to prove. "Tarzan" is one of the highest-volume strikers in the division, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute, though his 42 percent accuracy reflects a pressure-based style designed to wear opponents down over time. Standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, Strickland has the frame and durability to compete deep into championship rounds. The bad blood between the two men adds a combustible edge to an already compelling matchup.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's first title defense will define whether he can sustain a championship run at 185 pounds
- Strickland is a former champion seeking to reclaim the belt, giving the challenger legitimate divisional credibility
- The grappling-heavy Chimaev versus the high-volume striking of Strickland presents a clear stylistic clash
- The co-main event bantamweight title fight between Petr Yan and Merab Taira adds further championship weight to the card
Also on the card, number-one ranked heavyweight Alexander Volkov meets Tai Tuivasa. Volkov, a 37-year-old Russian known as "Drago," carries a 40-11-0 record and stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, landing strikes at 57 percent accuracy across his career. UFC 328 broadcasts live on Paramount+.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
