Khamzat Chimaev to Defend Middleweight Title Against Sean Strickland at UFC 328
Khamzat Chimaev is set to defend his UFC middleweight title against former champion Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The announcement was made on March 12, 2026, by the UFC according to ESPN.
Chimaev’s Reign and First Title Defense
Chimaev (15-0) won the middleweight title in August with a unanimous decision victory over Dricus du Plessis. This upcoming bout will mark his first defense of the championship as reported by ESPN.
Strickland’s Road Back to the Title Shot
Strickland (30-7) earned the title shot after an impressive stoppage win over Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez last month . He was selected over Nassourdine Imavov, despite Imavov’s recent win streak and previous victory over Strickland in 2023 as noted by Bloody Elbow. Strickland previously held UFC gold, defeating Israel Adesanya by unanimous decision in 2023 before losing the title to du Plessis and the rematch in February 2025.
A Long-Standing Feud
The matchup between Chimaev and Strickland has been brewing for years, stemming from a sparring session almost four years ago according to Bloody Elbow. This history adds a personal element to the championship fight.
Chimaev’s Ranking and Accomplishments
Chimaev is currently ranked No. 4 on ESPN’s pound-for-pound list . He has quickly risen through the ranks with dominant wins over former champions Kamaru Usman, Robert Whittaker, and du Plessis as CBS Sports reports.
UFC 328 Card Details
In the co-main event of UFC 328, Alexander Volkov will face Waldo Cortes-Acosta in a heavyweight bout according to CBS Sports. Other scheduled fights include Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley at welterweight, and Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov in a rematch after their previous draw. Veterans King Green and Jeremy Stephens will also compete at lightweight.
Betting Odds
Khamzat Chimaev opened as a significant betting favorite over Sean Strickland for the UFC 328 main event via MMA Mania.