UFC 328: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland Middleweight Title Fight Set for May 9 as Matt Damon Hosts SNL

He achieved a first-round TKO over Rhys McKee 10 days after his debut, then knocked out Gerald Meerschaert in September 2020. Chimaev submitted Li Jingliang at 3:16 of Round 1 in October 2021, defeated Gilbert Burns by decision, submitted Kevin Holland, defeated Kamaru Usman by decision in October 2023, defeated Robert Whittaker by first-round submission via face crank at UFC 308 in October 2024 and defeated Dricus du Plessis by unanimous decision with scores of 50-44 three times and 21:40 of control time.

Strickland joined the UFC in March 2014 after winning and defending the King of the Cage middleweight title four times.

He was knocked out by Alex Pereira in 2:36 in July 2022. Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya by unanimous decision with scores of 49-46 three times to win the UFC middleweight title on September 10, 2023. He lost the title to Dricus du Plessis by split decision at UFC 297 on January 20, 2024, defeated Paulo Costa by split decision at UFC 302 in June 2024, lost to Dricus du Plessis by unanimous decision at UFC 312 in February 2025 and defeated Anthony Hernandez by third-round TKO in 2026 to earn a Performance of the Night bonus and the title shot.

The main event pits an undefeated champion with a grappling-heavy résumé against a veteran striker who has held and lost the same belt. Chimaev’s path to the title included dominant performances against former champions, while Strickland’s route featured high-profile wins over Adesanya and Hernandez after earlier setbacks.

Both fighters enter with extensive Octagon experience spanning more than a decade combined.