Since becoming the new UFC middleweight champion at UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev has yet to defend his belt successfully. Last month, Sean Strickland defeated Anthony Hernandez in a title eliminator bout and immediately called out the dominant Russian champion. Given the growing hype surrounding their rivalry, the UFC quickly finalized the matchup without hesitation for a blockbuster middleweight title clash. 

The fight is scheduled as the main event of UFC 328, taking place inside the Prudential Center in New Jersey. Following the official announcement, several experts and analysts, including former champion Kamaru Usman, have publicly shared their predictions about the outcome.

“Khamzat Chimaev is one of those very very special guys. He has the ability to do these great things, but at the same time we’re still waiting for a complete performance because he almost uses one skill to dominate and win these fights. We’re still kind of waiting for that one guy that’s going to stop that one dominant thing that Khamzat does, and then we see all of his arsenal,” said Kamaru Usman via the Pound 4 Pound Show. 

Usman has already fought Chimaev on short notice and was able to put up with him for three rounds. Despite his wrestling dominance, Chimaev has yet to go against a touch wrestler with good takedown defence. 

Sean Strickland believes he possesses the skills, toughness, and mentality needed to defeat Khamzat Chimaev in their anticipated grudge fight. Both fighters share a heated rivalry fueled by personal remarks, increasing fan interest, and adding intensity to this anticipated clash.

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UFC veteran questions Nasirroudine Imavov losing the Khamzat Chimaev fight to Sean Strickland 

Before Sean Strickland won against Anthony Hernandez and got himself a title shot, it was Nasirroudine Imavov who was in line. He and Khamzat Chimaev verbally agreed to fight, but it seems like, for UFC, that fight didn’t receive that hype from fans. 

Former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad recently spoke about this in detail and shared how unfair it was for the Frenchman. “You gotta feel for Imavov. He earned the title shot. But then that trash talk, stupidity and the era we live in now where Strickland talks his way into a title shot,” said Belal Muhammad via his YouTube. 

😬Belal Muhammad says Sean Strickland doesn’t deserve title shot against Chimaev:

“You gotta feel for Imavov. He earned the title shot.

But then that trash talk, stupidity and the era we live in now where Strickland talks his way into a title shot.”

(via @bullyb170) pic.twitter.com/4hliuWOUT7

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) March 19, 2026

Throughout UFC’s history, fighters have often used trash talking to get ahead in the title race. Conor McGregor, Chael Sonnen, Colby Covington, etc., are big examples of such instances. Nevertheless, it would be interesting to see whether Strickland can back the trash-talking against Khamzat Chimaev. 

READ MORE: “Legs Might Shake a Little”- Derek Chisora Unfazed by Deontay Wilder’s Knockout Power Ahead of Clash

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