Overview
- UFC finalized the UFC 328 card with unbeaten middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev defending against former titleholder Sean Strickland at Prudential Center on May 9, with Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta as the co-main event.
- Strickland’s coach Eric Nicksick said the pair “got along really well” and pushed each other during past sessions at Xtreme Couture, countering stories of an always-hostile relationship.
- Nicksick cautioned that any fight-week incident is more likely to come from entourages or fans rather than the fighters, echoing Dana White’s quip about needing extra security in Newark.
- From Chimaev’s camp, Arman Tsarukyan shared footage of the champion gaming during downtime, and sparring partner Khalil Rountree Jr. clarified a viral clip by saying he intentionally took a knee to create a drill scenario rather than being dropped.
- Analyst chatter frames contrasting paths to victory, with Aljamain Sterling and Dricus du Plessis outlining a potential mental and defensive route for Strickland, even as bookmakers list Chimaev as a heavy favorite near -600.