Chimaev Keeps Middleweight Belt vs Strickland on May 9

Khamzat Chimaev won his UFC Middleweight title fight against Sean Strickland on May 9, 2026. This was a tough fight for the champion.
By Newsroom | Sports, MMA |

Khamzat Chimaev has kept his UFC Middleweight Championship, prevailing in a challenging bout against former titleholder Sean Strickland. The fight, which headlined UFC 328 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, saw Chimaev defend his belt through a five-round contest.

The championship bout concluded with Chimaev's successful defense, though specific details of the scoring or method of victory were not immediately clear from the aggregated reports. This marks a significant defense for Chimaev, who entered the bout undefeated. Strickland, known for his resilience, provided a stern test for the champion.

Undercard Action: Prelims and Early Prelims Deliver Varied Results

The event featured a full slate of preliminary bouts leading up to the main event.

The featured prelim saw rising middleweight Ateba Gautier face off against Ozzy Diaz. In the co-main event, newly crowned flyweight champion Joshua Van defended his title against Japanese contender Tatsuro Taira.

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Preliminary Card Highlights

Earlier prelims included a featherweight clash between Pat Sabatini and French fighter William Gomis. Veteran Jim Miller, holding the record for most UFC wins, competed against Jared Gordon in a lightweight bout. Middleweight Roman Kopylov looked to rebound against DWCS graduate Marco Tulio. Welterweight contender Yaroslav Amosov, ranked 14th, faced Joel Álvarez, who entered on a four-fight win streak. The flyweight division also saw Clayton Carpenter take on Jose Ochoa.

Early Prelims

The early preliminary card featured bouts such as Roman Kopylov against Waldo Cortes-Acosta, and Sean Brady.

Event Context and Broadcast Information

UFC 328 was held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The event was broadcast on Paramount+, with early prelims starting at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT, preliminary bouts at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, and the main card commencing at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. The championship bout between Chimaev and Strickland was scheduled for five rounds. This encounter was described as one of the more contentious title fights in recent UFC history, stemming from a previous intense rivalry. Strickland's strategy reportedly focused on his takedown defense to counter Chimaev's grappling prowess, a tactic that overwhelmed his previous opponent, Dricus du Plessis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the UFC Middleweight Championship fight on May 9, 2026?
Khamzat Chimaev kept his UFC Middleweight Championship belt after a fight with Sean Strickland at UFC 328. The fight was in Newark, New Jersey.
Q: What happened at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026?
UFC 328 had several fights, with Khamzat Chimaev defending his Middleweight title against Sean Strickland in the main event. Other fighters like Joshua Van and Ateba Gautier also competed.
Q: Where and when was UFC 328 held?
UFC 328 took place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The main card started at 9 p.m. ET.
Q: How did Khamzat Chimaev win against Sean Strickland?
The fight between Chimaev and Strickland went for five rounds. Details on how Chimaev won were not immediately clear, but he successfully defended his title.