Khamzat Chimaev will defend his UFC middleweight championship against Sean Strickland on Saturday, May 9, 2026 [1].
The bout serves as the headlining event of UFC 328, marking a critical clash between an undefeated champion and a seasoned veteran. The outcome will determine the continued dominance of Chimaev in the middleweight division.
The event takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey [3]. Preliminary bouts are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT [2].
Chimaev enters the contest with a perfect professional MMA record of 15-0-0 [4], including a nine-zero record within the UFC [5]. His undefeated streak has positioned him as one of the most formidable forces in the promotion's middleweight category.
Strickland brings a significant amount of experience to the octagon with a professional MMA record of 30-7-0 [6]. Within the UFC, he holds a record of 17-7 [7]. The matchup pits Chimaev's grappling and aggression against Strickland's striking, and durability.
To provide accessibility for fans, a free full-fight-card video marathon has been made available [8]. This allows viewers to watch the entire event's progression without the typical pay-per-view barriers for the full card's content [8].
“Khamzat Chimaev will defend his UFC middleweight championship against Sean Strickland”
This matchup is a pivotal test for Chimaev's legacy; a victory over a veteran like Strickland would solidify his status as a dominant champion, while a loss would end his undefeated streak and shift the power dynamics of the middleweight division. The decision to offer a free fight marathon also suggests a strategic move by the UFC to increase viewership and engagement for this specific card.
