UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev will finally get the chance to settle his long-running feud with Sean Strickland this May.
The pair have been trading barbs ever since an infamous sparring session four years ago, with both men claiming they got the better of the other.
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Now, the bad blood will finally be settled inside the Octagon.
UFC boss Dana White announced on Friday that Chimaev will defend the 185-pound crown against Strickland at UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey, on May 9.
For Chimaev, the showdown marks the first defence of the middleweight title since he captured the strap from Dricus du Plessis and cemented his reputation as the UFC’s boogeyman.
The undefeated Chechen-born star has bulldozed his way through the promotion since arriving in 2020, combining his brutal wrestling style with devastating finishing ability.
Aussie fight fans will remember the face crank he applied to Rob Whittaker at UFC 308 that caved in the former champion’s front teeth.
Strickland, who has never been one to shy away from a fight, recently returned to the win column with an impressive performance against Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez.
Immediately afterwards, the American called out the middleweight king.
“Chimaev probably gets off the bench. I’d like to piece that little Chechen w***e,” Strickland said. “You never know with him. You never know with that guy but that’s what I want.”
Strickland has also labelled Chimaev a “f***ing coward” in the past, criticising the champion’s inactivity in the division.
The co-main event of UFC 328 will see heavyweight contenders Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta square off.
White also announced a slew of other fights across the next three months, including the exciting news that surging Aussie prospect Quillan Salkilld will take on longtime lightweight contender Beneil Dariush at UFC Fight Night Perth May 2026 on May 2.
Salkilld, who defeated fellow Australian Jamie Mullarkey in Sydney earlier this year, has gone 4-0 in the UFC and quickly emerged as one of the sport’s most exciting young prospects.
The West Aussie knockout artist told Fox Sports Australia he relishes taking risks – and facing Dariush certainly qualifies.
The veteran has shared the Octagon with some of the best fighters in the world, earning wins over the likes of Drew Dober, Tony Ferguson and Mateusz Gamrot.
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But Salkilld believes the fight is another step toward the top.
“In the near future I see myself climbing the rankings,” he said in February.
“And in a couple of years down the line I see myself becoming the UFC lightweight champion.”
The Perth event will be headlined by former UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena taking on dangerous Brazilian Carlos Prates.
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The fight night will also be a first of its kind in Australia with the event to be held in prime-time for Australian audiences.
The prelims will begin at 4pm local time (6pm AEST) before the main card kicks off at 7pm local times (9pm AEST).