UFC 328 features a title fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland in Newark, New Jersey, on May 9, 2026. The rivalry is intense, with both fighters having a history of training together and exchanging insults.
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The most explosive fight week of 2026 is underway. There's a lot of bad blood between UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland. It's real enough that UFC will recruit extra security to keep the peace before UFC 328.
Chimaev and Strickland have hurled many insults ahead of their main event title fight in Newark, New Jersey. Your mileage will vary on the subject matter, but there's nothing fabricated about the beef. The rivals have also trained together in the past, with both claiming to get the better of the other behind closed doors.
Chimaev's supremacy is like few things in MMA. The combined significant strike tally in his first four UFC fights was 148-1. He's defeated UFC champions in his last three fights, mostly in dominant fashion. He caved in Robert Whittaker's front teeth with a face crank before coasting by Dricus du Plessis. On Saturday, he makes his first title defense.
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Strickland is no stranger to surprises. He closed at approximately +540 against Israel Adesanya, worse than his present chances of beating Chimaev. Strickland upset Adesanya, knocking him down and taking the middleweight title from him. Before UFC 328, Strickland once again cashed as an underdog against Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez.
Saturday's co-main event celebrates the flyweight division's youth movement. Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira are coming off wins against former champions. Now the two youngest superstars in the flyweight rankings collide for the title.
Below is the complete fight card for UFC 328, along with the latest odds. Check back all week long for the latest news, features, and other content around this massive event.
UFC 328 is scheduled for May 9, 2026, in Newark, New Jersey.
The fight is significant as it marks Khamzat Chimaev's first title defense as the UFC middleweight champion against a rival with whom he has a contentious history.
Khamzat Chimaev has shown dominance in his previous fights, with a significant strike tally of 148-1 in his first four UFC bouts and victories over multiple champions.
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