Alexander Volkov has provided his assessment of Sean Strickland's prospects in the upcoming bout against Khamzat Chimaev. The heavyweight contender shared his opinion on whether Strickland has a realistic chance to upset Chimaev or if the Chechen-born fighter will dominate. Volkov's comments add to the pre-fight discussion surrounding one of UFC 328's most anticipated matchups. The post invites fans to indicate whether they believe Strickland can surprise or if Chimaev will run through him without difficulty. Details of Volkov's specific analysis are limited in the brief post. His perspective carries weight given his experience competing at the highest level of the UFC.
Alexander Volkov has weighed in on the middleweight clash between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev, offering his perspective on whether the reigning champion can hold off the division's top-ranked contender at UFC 328.
Strickland, 35, enters the fight as the reigning middleweight champion carrying a 31-7-0 record. The American out of Xtreme Couture stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and has built his reputation on relentless forward pressure and high striking output, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute. His wrestling threat is modest, averaging 0.71 takedowns per 15 minutes, meaning his path to victory likely runs through a stand-up battle.
Chimaev, ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound, brings a 15-1-0 record into the contest. The 30-year-old representing the UAE and training out of Allstars in Sweden is one of the most complete fighters in the sport, landing strikes at 60 percent accuracy while averaging a dominant 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. His submission threat is equally real, with 1.8 attempts per 15 minutes, making him a multidimensional problem for any opponent.
Volkov, the number-one ranked heavyweight contender from Russia, shared his assessment of the matchup, though specific details of his analysis were not disclosed in full. At 37 years old with a 40-11-0 record and extensive experience competing at the sport's highest level, his read on elite matchups carries credibility among fans and media alike.
Why it matters
- The fight is one of the most anticipated bouts on the UFC 328 card
- A Chimaev win would almost certainly hand him the middleweight title, reshaping the division
- Strickland's striking volume against Chimaev's grappling dominance presents a compelling stylistic contrast
- Volkov's commentary adds a respected voice to the pre-fight discourse surrounding the bout
Saturday, May 9, 2026
