"The best with 15 wins and no losses." The first championship defense match... Chimaevvs Strickland 'Counterattack'

*This content was translated by AI.

UFC middleweight champion Hamzat Chimaev (31, UAE/Russia) will play his first title defense match against former champion Sean Strickland (35, USA).

UFC announced that it will hold a middleweight title match as the main event of the UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland competition to be held at the Prudential Center in New Jersey on May 9 (Korea time).

Chimaev (15 wins and no losses), who will play in the main event, plans to open the 2026 season with an overwhelming performance. Chimaev has been undefeated, defeating former and current champions such as Driquis Du Plessy, Robert Whitaker and Kamaru Usman in a row. He is determined to beat Strickland in this defense match to solidify his dominance.

Against this backdrop, Strickland (30 wins and seven losses), ranked third, is aiming to regain the title. Strickland, who has the experience of beating Israel Adesanya to become the champion, is trying to give Chimaev his first career defeat by using his unique constant pressure tactics.

Heavyweight powerhouses are also prepared to face off. No. 2 Alexander Volkov (39-11) and No. 4 Waldo Cortes-Acosta (17-2) will clash. Veteran slugger Volkov, who gained momentum by beating Xylton Almeida in October, will defend the ranking by stopping Cortes-Acosta's rise. On the other hand, Cortes-Acosta, who is aiming to win four consecutive knockouts, plans to secure the right to challenge the title by catching a big fish called Volkop.

In addition, heavy matches such as the matchup between sixth-ranked Sean Brady and ninth-ranked Wakin Buckley will decorate the main card.

Meanwhile, the Prudential Center, where the competition will be held, will mark its 12th UFC event since its first in 2007.

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*This content was translated by AI.