Chimaev battles Strickland at UFC 328

Alta Sports21 days ago · 115 views

Chimaev battles Strickland at UFC 328 image

Photo: UFC

By Miguel Palaban

The stage is set for a compelling middleweight championship clash as Khamzat Chimaev defends his crown against Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328.

The highly anticipated five-round contest takes place on May 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

For Chimaev, the bout marks the first defense of the 185-pound championship he captured after dethroning Dricus du Plessis in August 2025.

The undefeated star enters with a spotless 15-0 record and the momentum of a career that has long hinted at greatness.

From the beginning of his run in the Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts promotion, “Borz” was widely viewed as a future titleholder.

His early dominance stunned observers and fans alike as he overwhelmed three opponents within two months while absorbing only a single significant strike across his first four appearances.

Since then, his path has included statement victories over former champions Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker before claiming gold against Du Plessis.

Across the Octagon stands Strickland, a battle-tested veteran with a record of 30-7 and a reputation for resilience.

Strickland arrives in Newark following a statement knockout victory over Anthony Hernandez this past February, a performance that silenced doubts after entering the matchup as an underdog.

The outspoken American has proven before that he thrives in moments when expectations are low.

In 2023, Strickland shocked the world by defeating Israel Adesanya to capture the middleweight title before eventually surrendering it to Du Plessis.

Now, Strickland seeks redemption and a return to the summit.

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