Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) held its official pre-fight press conference on Thurs. (watch here) for the upcoming fun fifth Paramount+ numbered event, UFC 328, locked and loaded for this weekend (Sat., May 9, 2026) inside Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
The main and co-main event fighters were on hand and came face-to-face following the press conference festivities, setting the tone for what promises to be a wild night of fights.
That includes the night’s headliners as UFC Middleweight
champion Khamzat Chimaev defends his title for the very first time against No. 3 contender Sean Strickland in a fight that has some truly bad blood attached.
And just when everyone thought the presser was going to end with a somewhat peaceful face-off, Chimaev kicked Strickland, which forced all of the police and extra security to get involved and pull the fighters away.
Nevertheless, in the co-main event, Flyweight champion Joshua Van also defends his title for the first time against No. 3-ranked Tatsuro Taira in the very first fight between fighters born in the 2000s.
Watch the staredowns below:
Chimaev vs. Strickland
Van vs. Taira
For the latest UFC 328 fight card and rumors click here.
