Khamzat Chimaev is set to make the first defence of his middleweight crown against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 this weekend in New Jersey.
The undefeated Russian captured the title from Dricus du Plessis last August and has looked virtually unstoppable throughout his UFC career.
UFC 328: Chimaev v Strickland | SUN 10 MAY 11AM AEST | UFC Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev will return to the Octagon for the first defence of his title. Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Strickland, a former champ himself, earned another crack at the belt with one of the best performances of his career, taking down Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston.
There is genuine bad blood between the pair, with the UFC currently taking extraordinary measures to keep them separated ahead of their explosive middleweight showdown.
In the co-main event, Josh Van puts his flyweight title on the line against unbeaten Japanese contender Tatsuro Taira.
HOW TO WATCH
Aussie fight fans can catch all the action for UFC 328 LIVE on Main Event via Kayo.
Fox Sports Australia will also be running a live blog of the event.
WHEN IS IT?
UFC 328 takes place on Sunday, May 10, 2026 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
In Australia, the main card is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM AEST.
Australian Times (Sunday, May 10, 2026):
Main Card: 11:00 AM AEST
Prelims: 9:00 AM AEST
Early Prelims: 7:00 AM AEST
FULL CARD
Main card
Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland (middleweight title)
Joshua Van vs Tatsuro Taira (flyweight title)
Alexander Volkov vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta (heavyweight)
Sean Brady vs Joaquin Buckley (welterweight)
King Green vs Jeremy Stephens (lightweight)
Prelims
Ateba Gautier vs Ozzy Diaz (middleweight)
Joel Alvarez vs Yaroslav Amosov (welterweight)
Grant Dawson vs Mateusz Rebecki (lightweight)
Jim Miller vs Jared Gordon (lightweight)
Early prelims
Roman Kopylov vs Marco Tulio (middleweight)
Pat Sabatini vs William Gomis (featherweight)
Baisangur Susurkaev vs Djorden Santos (middleweight)
Clayton Carpenter vs Jose Ochoa (flyweight)
Sean Strickland and Khamzat ChimaevSource: FOX SPORTS
WHY DO STRICKLAND & CHIMAEV HAVE BEEF?
It might be hard to believe, but the two fighters once got along well while training together at the Xtreme Couture gym in Las Vegas in late 2021.
The “Chechen Wolf” claims Strickland’s attitude toward him changed after Chimaev made him tap repeatedly during sparring sessions.
He also alleges Strickland brought a gun to the gym following a previous disagreement.
Strickland, however, offers a different version of events, insisting he allowed Chimaev to submit him in training, while accusing the current 185lb title-holder of being a gym bully.
Earlier this week, Strickland told press that their beef was triggered by a “misunderstanding” in a group chat.
WHAT’S BEEN SAID?
What hasn’t been said?! The bad blood between the pair has been simmering for years, with both men trading insults with each other in interviews and online.
At one stage, Strickland even claimed he would shoot Chimaev if the Russian approached him in the street.
Chimaev, meanwhile, responded with chilling comments of his own, saying he wouldn’t try to kill Strickland inside the Octagon – but couldn’t promise the same thing outside of it.
“I don’t want to kill a man. Haram,” Chimaev said.
“Out in the streets, it’s different. If he dies, he dies.”
It’s safe to say this rivalry has become as dark as it gets in MMA.
HOW WILL THE MAIN EVENT PLAY OUT?
Chimaev will try to impose his trademark pressure early, using his wrestling to test the American from the opening bell.
The Russian has overwhelmed almost every opponent he’s faced so far, so it will be crucial for Strickland to survive the early storm.
Strickland can make the fight competitive if he’s able to frustrate the champ with his cardio, jab and unusual defence while keeping it standing.
Known for his volume and pressure, Strickland usually gets stronger as fights wear on, so if he can drag Chimaev into the later rounds he could swing the momentum his way.
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WHAT ABOUT THE CO-MAIN?
The co-main is expected to be one of the most technical fights on the card, with flyweight champ Joshua Van defending his strap against unbeaten Japanese star Tatsuro Taira.
Van will likely push a high pace, while Taira’s biggest threat will come through his grappling and submission game.
The Japanese fighter is one of the division’s most dangerous finishers, so Van will need to be disciplined whenever the fight hits the floor.
Van told Fox Sports Australia this week that he’s prediicting he will finish Taira within three rounds.
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ODDS (Sportsbet)
Chimaev $1.18 to win, $2.03 via submission, $4.40 via KO/TKO, $4.40 via decision
Strickland $4.95 to win, $9.50 via decision, $8.75 via KO/TKO, $51.00 via submission
PREDICTIONS
Nick Walshaw: Chimaev R3 sub
While Strickland, aka the real life American Psycho, has solid wrestling defence and is no stranger to an upset, Chimaev seems like a different beast altogether. We’ll take the $7 being offered for a Rd 3/4/5 submission.
James Cooney: Chimaev R3 sub
Khamzat has bulldozed just about everyone he’s faced and I can see him doing the same here. That face crank he slapped on Rob Whittaker was the stuff of nightmares.
His ability to close the distance is terrifying, and once he gets going, I don’t think Sean will have a chance to breathe.