Khamzat Chimaev Will Defend the UFC Middleweight Title Against Sean Strickland
The expected UFC middleweight championship fight has a date and opponent. Khamzat Chimaev, the current champion, will face Sean Strickland in his first title defense. The fight will take place at UFC 328, from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on May 9, as announced by the promoter on Thursday.
Chimaev (15-0) won the title with a unanimous decision over Dricus du Plessis in August. The fighter has been awaiting his first defense, and this will be against a former champion of the division.
Strickland (30-7) earned his spot in the title fight after an impressive stoppage victory over Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez last month. UFC’s number 3 middleweight contender surpassed Nassourdine Imavov, who lost to Strickland in 2023 but has won his last five fights.
Strickland became UFC champion after defeating Israel Adesanya by unanimous decision in 2023. He lost the title to du Plessis in his first defense and lost the rematch in February 2025.
Chimaev, from Chechnya, is ranked number 4 in the pound-for-pound list.
