Full Breakdown
Rogan’s Analysis of Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC 328 Title Defense Against Sean Strickland
4/26/2026, 6:20:30 AM
UFC 328 Title Defense – Core Event
On May 9 (some outlets list May 10) 2026, the UFC will stage its 328th numbered event at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The main-card bout features middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev defending his 185-lb title against former champion Sean Strickland. Chimaev entered the fight with a 15-0 record, having captured the belt with a unanimous decision over Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319. Strickland earned his title shot by defeating Anthony Hernandez and, earlier, Nassourdine Imavov, the No. 2 contender.
Background & Context
Chimaev’s ascent has been marked by dominant performances, including a first-round submission of Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 and a majority-decision win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294. The Usman bout, taken on ten days’ notice and contested at middleweight, was the only recent fight in which Chimaev faced an opponent with a high-level wrestling pedigree. Prior to UFC 328, critics highlighted Chimaev’s struggles against elite grapplers such as Gilbert Burns and Usman, suggesting a potential vulnerability when facing opponents with strong wrestling bases.
Data & Statistics
- Chimaev’s takedown accuracy: 55 % (sources 3, 8).
- Strickland’s takedown defense: reported as 72 % (source 1) and 76 % (sources 3, 8).
- Chimaev vs. Du Plessis: 529 significant strikes landed, 21 minutes + control time across five rounds.
- Chimaev vs. Usman: 4 successful takedowns from 12 attempts; 7 minutes 16 seconds total control time; judges’ scores 29-27, 28-28, 29-27.
Criticism & Opposition – Rogan’s Concerns
Podcast host Joe Rogan questioned whether Chimaev’s dominance will persist against a striker-wrestler like Strickland. Rogan argued that Chimaev “handles guys that don’t have a big background in elite wrestling” and that the only elite grappler to give him trouble was Usman. He emphasized Strickland’s “accurate jab,” “awkward style,” and 72-/76 % takedown defense as factors that could neutralize Chimaev’s grappling pressure.
Official Statements & Responses
Rogan summarized his analysis by stating that the fight’s outcome will hinge on Chimaev’s ability to “clip” Strickland on the feet and on Strickland’s capacity to “stop the takedowns.” He framed the matchup as a test of whether Chimaev can translate his early-round control into a five-round championship bout against an opponent with a more robust wrestling résumé.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Event date: May 9 (sources 1, 3, 5, 6) vs. May 10 (source 8).
- Strickland’s takedown defense: 72 % (source 1) vs. 76 % (sources 3, 8).
- No direct statements from the UFC, Chimaev, or Strickland appear in the provided material, limiting insight into the fighters’ own perspectives.
Why It Matters
The result will influence perceptions of Chimaev’s legacy as an “untouchable” champion and could reshape the middleweight division’s hierarchy. A successful defense would reinforce the narrative that elite wrestling is not a prerequisite for dominance, while a loss could validate Rogan’s critique and elevate Strickland as a potential gatekeeper for future title challengers.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Strickland and Khamzat fight is going to be very interesting. Strickland is not an easy guy to take down, and he’s not an easy guy to hold down, and he’s a very difficult guy to hit on his feet, he’s got a super awkward style. His style is very clever, it’s very different, it’s not something that’s easy to replicate as far as timing in the gym.” — Joe Rogan, *The Joe Rogan Experience*
- “His jab is so accurate… To me, it’s gonna be what can Khamzat do on the feet, can he clip him, and can Strickland stop the takedowns?” — Joe Rogan, *The Joe Rogan Experience*
- “His timing on his takedowns is insane, it’s so good. If I was going to make an argument against him, he’s handling guys that don’t have a big background in elite wrestling, they’re not elite grapplers.” — Joe Rogan, *The Joe Rogan Experience*
- “The one guy who was an elite grappler gave him problems… Kamaru Usman. That was a short-notice fight and in the third round Kamaru was winning. That would’ve been very interesting if it was a five round fight.” — Joe Rogan, *The Joe Rogan Experience*
- “Khamzat is handling guys that don’t have a big background in elite wrestling; they’re not elite wrestlers.” — Joe Rogan, *The Joe Rogan Experience*
What’s Next
UFC 328 will commence on the scheduled night, with the Chimaev-Strickland bout positioned as the headline attraction. Post-fight analysis will focus on whether Chimaev’s grappling dominance endured or if Strickland’s defensive striking and wrestling mitigated that advantage, shaping the next set of contender matchups in the middleweight division.
