‘Expert’ Joe Rogan cautions cocky Khamzat fans ahead of UFC 328: ‘Strickland has a legit chance’

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Sean Strickland taunts Israel Adesanya of Nigeria in the closing moments of their UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 293 event at Qudos Bank Arena on September 10, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Sean Strickland will attempt the reclaim the middleweight crown when he challenges reigning 185-pound titleholder Khamzat Chimaev atop the UFC 328 event on Sat. night (May 9, 2026) at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. While nobody expects “Borz” fans to be picking “Tarzan,” the sportsbooks have made it seem like Strickland has absolutely no chance to pull the sword from the proverbial stone.

One “expert” sees things differently.

“Strickland is one of the best fighters on planet Earth — so is Khamzat,” longtime UFC color commentator, Joe Rogan, said on his ”Experience” podcast. “But Strickland is also a legitimate world champion. He’s a guy who’s accustomed to five-rounders. He’s got phenomenal cardio. He’s one of the hardest guys to hit in the sport. One-hundred percent, he has a shot. (He has) underrated grappling. Listen to me as an expert, allegedly: He’s got some of the best takedown defense in the game, underrated grappling. Strickland has a legit chance.”