Middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has established himself as one of the dominant fighters on the UFC roster, building a reputation within an undefeated record.
However, recurring injuries and health issues have slowed his momentum inside the Octagon. Now, the Chechen champion is set to make his first title defense against former champion Sean Strickland at UFC 328.
UFC CEO Dana White first went live on Instagram and revealed plans to announce the promotion's next nine main events on the UFC's official YouTube channel. During that reveal, he confirmed the main event for UFC 328, scheduled for May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark. The bout will mark Khamzat Chimaev's first title defense since winning the middleweight title at UFC 319 in August 2025.
However, Chimaev and Strickland will headline a stacked UFC 328 card featuring several notable matchups across divisions. The co-main event is a heavyweight clash between Alexander Volkov and knockout artist Waldo Cortes Acosta. A welterweight clash between Sean Brady and Joaquin Buckley is also set to take place, while former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz faces Bogdan Guskov.
Strickland had not been part of the title conversation in recent months as other contenders seemed closer to a championship opportunity. However, he shifted that narrative with a dominant performance at UFC Houston in February 2026. Strickland scored a third-round TKO over Anthony 'Fluffy' Hernandez, who entered the fight on an eight-fight win streak, and immediately called out Chimaev afterwards.
However, the stakes surrounding the matchup are high due to the bad blood between the two middleweights. Chimaev and Strickland were once teammates at the Xtreme Couture gym in Las Vegas, where both fighters previously showed respect for each other. The relationship later deteriorated after Strickland criticized 'Borz' over his ties to a Chechen leader and alleged cryptocurrency scams.
Khamzat Chimaev is currently recovering from foot surgery that has kept him sidelined since August 2025 after winning the title. The champion has been working to regain full fitness while training with coaches such as Sam Calavitta to return in peak condition. UFC 328 also presents a major opportunity for Sean Strickland to reclaim the championship he lost at UFC 297, setting up a high-stakes grudge match.
Fans quickly reacted to the announcement of the middleweight title clash between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland at UFC 328, with many pointing to the heated rivalry between the two fighters. The matchup immediately generated discussion across MMA communities, with supporters highlighting the history between the former teammates and the tension that has developed in recent years.
Many fans also believe the matchup is especially promising because of the bad blood between the two fighters. Supporters noted that the rivalry adds another layer of intrigue to an already significant title bout. Several fans pointed out that Strickland's outspoken persona, combined with Chimaev's intimidating demeanour, could make the build-up entertaining, particularly during face-to-face interviews and heated press conferences.
Fans are also debating how the fight itself could unfold once the two finally meet inside the Octagon. Many discussions center on whether Khamzat Chimaev's dominant and suffocating wrestling will once again overwhelm another opponent. Others believe Sean Strickland's unorthodox fighting style and relentless pace could catch the Chechen superstar off guard, adding further intrigue to the title clash.
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