UFC middleweight contenders Khamzat Chimaev of Russia and Sean Strickland are scheduled to headline UFC 328 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on May 9, 2026. The championship bout will feature Chimaev, known for his dominant wrestling and finishing ability, against former titleholder Strickland, who relies on high-volume striking and defensive prowess.
The matchup represents a classic stylistic clash in the 185-pound division. Chimaev enters with an undefeated professional record and has finished the majority of his opponents inside the distance. Strickland, a former UFC middleweight champion, brings extensive Octagon experience and a pressure-based boxing approach that has troubled elite competition.
UFC 328 marks the promotion's return to the Prudential Center, which has hosted several notable events in recent years. The main event winner will claim the undisputed middleweight championship, with significant implications for the division's hierarchy.
