UFC 328 live blog: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 07: (L-R) Opponents Khamzat Chimaev of Russia and Sean Strickland face off during the UFC 328 press conference at Prudential Center on May 07, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC)

This is the UFC 328 live blog for Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland, the middleweight championship main event Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

The undefeated Chimaev is currently No. 4 in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings.

Chimaev (15-0) finally became UFC champion this past August at UFC 319, where he won a dominant decision over Dricus du Plessis. The Chechen standout hit the ground running in 2020 with a spectacular debut campaign that included two wins in 10 days, but dealt with COVID and visa issues over the past few years that limited his in-cage appearances. Now, he enters the octagon with a belt around his waist for the first time.

A former champion, Strickland (30-7) looks to become just the second man (after Israel Adesanya) to hold the UFC’s 185-pound title twice. Strickland was unable to beat du Plessis in two championship bouts, but outside of those losses he holds recent wins over top contenders Anthony Hernandez, Paulo Costa, and Nassourdine Imavov. He made an emphatic case to be granted the title shot after defeating Hernandez via third-round TKO this past February.

Check out the UFC 328 live blog for Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland below.

Preamble

The build-up was ugly at times. It’s top-3 all-time rivalry is UFC according to Dana White. Chimaev and Strickland will finally enter the octagon to settle business and see who walks with the 185-pound gold.

Round 1

Round 2