As UFC 328 approaches, the MMA world is buzzing with anticipation for the middleweight title clash between champion Khamzat Chimaev and challenger Sean Strickland. Set to headline the event on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, this fight promises fireworks—but not everyone is writing Strickland off just yet.

Joe Rogan, the longtime UFC color commentator and podcast host, recently weighed in on the matchup, urging fans not to underestimate Strickland. "Strickland is one of the best fighters on planet Earth—so is Khamzat," Rogan said on his "Experience" podcast. "But Strickland is also a legitimate world champion. He’s a guy who’s accustomed to five-rounders. He’s got phenomenal cardio. He’s one of the hardest guys to hit in the sport. One-hundred percent, he has a shot."

Rogan highlighted Strickland's underrated grappling skills, noting his elite takedown defense. "Listen to me as an expert, allegedly: He’s got some of the best takedown defense in the game, underrated grappling. Strickland has a legit chance." The stats back him up—Strickland stops 79% of takedowns attempted against him, a figure that ranks among the best in the division.

However, history offers a cautionary tale. Dricus du Plessis managed to land six takedowns in their UFC 297 title fight back in early 2024, exposing a potential vulnerability. Chimaev, on the other hand, is successful on about half of his takedown attempts (55%) and set a career high for takedowns when he dragged du Plessis to the canvas in their UFC 319 main event last summer in Chicago. That performance showcased "Borz" at his most dominant, leaving many fans convinced he’s unstoppable.

But as Rogan points out, Strickland has already proven he can shock the world once—by winning the middleweight title in a massive upset. Now, with the stage set for a rematch of styles, the question is whether "Tarzan" can do it again. For fight fans and gear enthusiasts alike, this is a bout that reminds us why MMA remains the most unpredictable sport on the planet.