Overview
- Khamzat Chimaev remains set to defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark after the UFC cancelled a planned Paramount face-off and put the fighters in separate hotels.
- Dana White confirmed Friday that security protocols were tightened following Strickland’s online gun threats and Chimaev’s reply that Strickland would be “dead already” if he wanted a real fight outside the cage.
- Strickland escalated again on Friday, posting that he would wait for Chimaev in the fighter hotel lobby and predicting he would spend fight week in handcuffs, while Chimaev mocked him on social media.
- Chimaev pitched a 12‑round boxing match with Conor McGregor under the Zuffa Boxing banner, calling it better money than Strickland, though White has previously dismissed letting UFC roster fighters box for Zuffa.
- The champion also signaled interest in moving to light heavyweight after this defense, drawing warnings from 205‑pound contender Khalil Rountree Jr., as fans criticized Chimaev for saying he is chasing money over legacy.