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

The UFC 328 press conference drew approximately 210,000 concurrent viewers on YouTube, making it the fifth most-watched UFC press conference in history and setting a new benchmark for events not involving Conor McGregor.

The milestone centers on the matchup between Khamzat Chimaev and middleweight champion Sean Strickland. The top four spots on the all-time list are held by McGregor events, with the UFC 229 press conference featuring Khabib Nurmagomedov setting the overall record at 505,000 live viewers. The 210,000 figure for UFC 328 clears every non-McGregor press conference on record, a notable demonstration of the promotional pull both headliners carry heading into fight week.

Strickland, 35, enters as the reigning middleweight champion with a 31-7-0 record. Fighting out of Xtreme Couture, the six-foot-one American is one of the most active volume strikers in the division, averaging 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute with a 76-inch reach. His output and combative personality have made him one of the more compelling promotional figures in the sport.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, whose UFC 229 press conference set the all-time viewership record, remains the gold standard for live engagement. The undefeated Russian, 29-0-0, averaged 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career, a dominance that made his rivalry with McGregor must-watch content for casual and hardcore fans alike.

Why it matters

• The 210,000 figure establishes Chimaev and Strickland as genuine pay-per-view draws independent of the McGregor era
• It signals strong mainstream interest in the middleweight title ahead of UFC 328 on May 9
• Strickland's high-volume striking style and public persona have proven effective at generating pre-fight attention