All eyes are on the Octagon this Saturday, 9 May, as UFC 328 delivers the long-awaited grudge match between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland. The two have been trading words for months, and now they'll finally settle the score in the main event.

Chimaev enters as the betting favourite, and it's easy to see why. 'Borz' has built his reputation on suffocating wrestling, overwhelming opponents with relentless pressure and takedowns. His grappling has been the defining weapon in his rise through the ranks.

But recent whispers out of Strickland's camp have added a new layer of intrigue. Could the former middleweight champion have found an answer to Chimaev's greatest strength?

Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier weighed in on the matchup during an appearance on the Deep Waters show. "I know some guys, good wrestlers, who are working with Sean, and they said it's legit," Poirier revealed. "He can get back up. He's hard to hold down."

That's a promising update for Strickland fans. If he can neutralise Chimaev's wrestling and keep the fight standing, the dynamics shift dramatically. Still, Poirier isn't ready to pick against the Chechen powerhouse. "His overall skill set and track record remain difficult to overlook," 'The Diamond' added, backing Chimaev to get the win.

Jorge Masvidal, however, sees things differently. The former welterweight contender is siding with Strickland, pointing to stylistic matchups as the key factor. "Chimaev is a completely different animal than anybody Strickland has fought. But the guys who are closer to Chimaev in that realm, Strickland has handled them well," Masvidal said.

"It's really hard to hold this guy down. I've seen it with my own eyes in training, practicing with heavyweights, even going with them. And I've seen it in fights," he continued. Masvidal also questioned whether Chimaev has ever faced someone who can wrestle back into him like Strickland can.

With contrasting predictions from two of the sport's sharpest minds, UFC 328 is shaping up to be a must-watch showdown. Whether Strickland's wrestling improvements are the real deal or just smoke and mirrors, we'll find out soon enough.