Chimaev vs. Strickland: UFC 328 main event escalates with death threats and extra security

Key facts

• UFC 328 takes place Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
• Champion Khamzat Chimaev (15-0) makes his first title defense against Sean Strickland (30-7).
• Chimaev is a -535 favorite; Strickland is a +400 underdog.
• The co-main event features flyweight champion Joshua Van defending against Tatsuro Taira.
• Chimaev captured the title by defeating Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025.
• Strickland earned his title shot by knocking out Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston in February 2026.
• Strickland threatened to shoot Chimaev; Chimaev responded that Strickland would be 'dead' if he tried.

A grudge match with a history of violence

The most explosive fight week of 2026 is underway in Newark, New Jersey, where UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and former titleholder Sean Strickland will finally settle their bitter rivalry inside the octagon at UFC 328. The hostility between the two has escalated to the point that the UFC is recruiting extra security to keep the peace before Saturday night's main event at the Prudential Center. Both fighters have traded insults for months, but the tension reached a new peak this week when Strickland said he would shoot Chimaev and his team if they attempted to get physical with him. Chimaev fired back, telling Strickland he would be "dead" if he tried such a thing, but made clear he prefers to punish his opponent inside the cage. "Clowns always talk," Chimaev said. "Bro, he hasn't shot any chickens in the world, how is he going to shoot a human? I don't think the guy wants a war outside the cage. If he wanted it, he'd be dead already."

UFC Hall of Famer doubts faceoffs will happen

UFC Hall of Famer and commentator Dominick Cruz said he doubts the promotion will allow Chimaev and Strickland to face off during fight week, given the level of threats. "I doubt they'll have faceoffs, right?" Cruz said. "If they're saying that, why would you have a faceoff? Why would you even take the risk if you're Dana with these two guys?" Cruz described the escalating rhetoric as a game of chicken between two egos unwilling to show weakness. "I think this is just fight week pressure and they both have an image to uphold, and both of them are going to flex bigger than the other one because that's the personality they're trying to bring," Cruz said. "They can't start being nice now. They've got to be the crazy guys. And now they're going to out-crazy each other to see who's tougher."

Chimaev's dominant path to the title

Chimaev, undefeated at 15-0, captured the middleweight title with a lopsided win over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025. His rise has been marked by extraordinary dominance: the combined significant strike tally in his first four UFC fights was 148-1. He has defeated UFC champions in his last three fights, most recently caving in Robert Whittaker's front teeth with a face crank before coasting past du Plessis. Now making his first title defense, Chimaev enters as a heavy -535 favorite. Oddsmakers are siding heavily with the champion, but Strickland has proven he can defy expectations.

Strickland's history as an underdog

Strickland is no stranger to surprising the odds. He closed at approximately +540 against Israel Adesanya — worse than his present +400 chances against Chimaev — and upset Adesanya, knocking him down and taking the middleweight title. Before UFC 328, Strickland once again cashed as an underdog against Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez, earning his title shot with a dominant performance at UFC Houston in February. At 30-7, Strickland looks to become a two-time champion. His underrated defensive grappling will be tested against Chimaev's elite wrestling, a stylistic clash that adds intrigue to the hostility.

Co-main event showcases flyweight youth movement

Saturday's co-main event celebrates the flyweight division's youth movement, as champion Joshua Van makes his first title defense against Japanese contender Tatsuro Taira. The bout was rescheduled after Van suffered an injury that forced it off UFC 327 in April. It marks the first UFC title fight between two fighters born in the 2000s. Both Van and Taira are coming off wins against former champions, and the matchup highlights the rising talent in the lighter weight classes. Taira enters as a -192 favorite, while Van is a +160 underdog.

Full fight card and stakes

The UFC 328 card also features a heavyweight bout between Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes Acosta, a welterweight fight between Sean Brady and Joaquin Buckley, and a lightweight clash between King Green and Jeremy Stephens. Odds for all bouts are available via DraftKings Sportsbook. With the main event carrying months of bad blood and genuine threats of violence, the UFC faces the challenge of ensuring that the only physical contact between Chimaev and Strickland happens inside the cage. The outcome will determine whether Chimaev's reign continues or Strickland reclaims the title in one of the most hostile grudge matches in recent memory.

The bottom line

• Chimaev and Strickland have exchanged death threats, leading the UFC to add extra security for fight week.
• Chimaev is a -535 favorite, but Strickland has a history of winning as a heavy underdog.
• The co-main event features a historic flyweight title fight between two fighters born in the 2000s.
• Chimaev's dominance is underscored by a 148-1 significant strike differential in his first four UFC fights.
• Strickland earned his title shot by defeating Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston in February 2026.
• The UFC may cancel faceoffs to prevent a physical altercation before the fight.