Welterweight champion Khamzat Chimaev will his his title on the line for the first time at UFC 328 on May 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. “Borz” headlines the fight card against former titleholder and bitter rival Sean Strickland. UFC CEO Dana White announced the matchup on Thursday.
The undefeated Chimaev (15-0) captured the 185-pound championship at UFC 319 last August, dominating then-champion Dricus du Plessis. Strickland (30-7) rebounded from a loss to du Plessis in his last outing with a bonus-earning TKO win over Anthony Hernandez in February.
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Chimaev and Strickland were once training partners. Now they’re mortal enemies who regularly take swipes at each other on social media and in interviews. Strickland believes he’s the only fighter in the middleweight division that can beat Chimaev. Now he’ll have the opportunity to prove it.
UFC 328 will mark the fight promotion’s 12th visit to Newark.
