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

The UFC 328 press conference featuring Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland drew 210,000 live viewers on YouTube, making it the fifth most-watched UFC press conference in history and setting a notable benchmark ahead of the event scheduled for May 9, 2026.

The figure carries an additional distinction: it stands as the highest viewership ever recorded for a UFC press conference not involving Conor McGregor. The all-time record belongs to the UFC 229 pre-fight presser between Khabib Nurmagomedov and McGregor, which pulled 505,000 live viewers. The remaining top-four slots are also occupied by McGregor appearances, including his press conferences opposite Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz.

Sean Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, enters UFC 328 carrying a 31-7 record. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and lands a high-volume 6.04 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the busiest offensive fighters in the division.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, whose undefeated 29-0 record and legendary 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes helped fuel the record-breaking UFC 229 press conference numbers, serves as a benchmark for the kind of crossover attention this event is now approaching. Meanwhile, Dustin Poirier, the 37-year-old American from American Top Team with a 30-10 record, represents another point of comparison given his repeated appearances in the top press-conference viewership tallies alongside McGregor.

Why it matters

• The 210,000 figure signals mainstream interest in the Chimaev-Strickland matchup that extends well beyond the core UFC fanbase.
• It is the first press conference outside the McGregor era to crack the all-time top five, suggesting a shift in marquee drawing power at middleweight.
• Strickland's middleweight title is on the line, raising the divisional stakes and amplifying pre-event scrutiny.