Chimaev-Strickland Title Fight to Headline UFC 328

The highly anticipated middleweight title bout will take place on May 9 in Newark, New Jersey.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 3:49am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has finalized the card for UFC 328, with the previously announced Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland middleweight title fight set to headline the May 9 event in Newark, New Jersey. Chimaev, the reigning champion, will be making his first title defense against the No. 3-ranked contender Strickland.

Why it matters

This matchup between the undefeated Chimaev and the controversial Strickland has generated significant interest and anticipation among MMA fans. The bout will serve as the main event for UFC 328, which will be the promotion's last numbered event before the unique UFC Freedom 250 takes place on the White House grounds on June 14.

The details

Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) won the middleweight title last August at UFC 319 with a unanimous decision victory over Dricus du Plessis. The 31-year-old Russian has not fought since that title-winning performance. Strickland (30-7 MMA, 17-7 UFC), who is ranked No. 3 in the division, is coming off a TKO win over Anthony Hernandez in a UFC Fight Night main event last month in Houston. The 35-year-old Strickland has been vocal about his dislike for Chimaev, recently posting on Facebook that 'We're not fighting at the White House. They don't like terrorists there.'

  • UFC 328 will take place on May 9, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey.
  • Chimaev last fought at UFC 319 in August 2025, where he won the middleweight title.
  • Strickland defeated Anthony Hernandez in a UFC Fight Night main event last month in Houston.

The players

Khamzat Chimaev

The undefeated 31-year-old Russian is the reigning UFC middleweight champion, having won the title at UFC 319 in August 2025.

Sean Strickland

The 35-year-old American is the No. 3-ranked UFC middleweight contender, and is coming off a TKO win over Anthony Hernandez last month.

Dana White

The president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, who first announced the Chimaev-Strickland title fight last week.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're not fighting at the White House. They don't like terrorists there.”

— Sean Strickland (Facebook)

What’s next

UFC 328 will be the promotion's last numbered event before the first-of-its-kind UFC Freedom 250 takes place on the White House grounds on June 14, 2026.

The takeaway

The highly anticipated middleweight title fight between the undefeated champion Khamzat Chimaev and the controversial challenger Sean Strickland will headline UFC 328, setting the stage for a potential clash of styles and personalities in a bout that has generated significant interest among MMA fans.