Khamzat Chimaev is brushing aside criticism of his recent inactivity as he prepares to defend his UFC middleweight title against Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328.
Chimaev is set for his first title defense on Sat., May 9, 2026, when he meets Strickland at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The champion previously fought three times in rapid succession in 2020, setting a modern UFC record for the fastest three-fight winning streak, but has since competed far less frequently, often only once per year due to health issues and travel restrictions.
Addressing fans who have questioned his reduced schedule, Chimaev was blunt. “I don’t care,” he said. “I’m making millions. These people are just talking and doing nothing. Like, if you do your work, I don’t need to go and watch you and [judge you] on how you do, how often you work out, how much you get. I care about myself, how much I make, and how much I fight.”
Chimaev pointed to how much his life has changed since his breakout run. “I was living in a gym, and now, I’m living the dream,” he said, adding that his income is no longer tied solely to his Octagon appearances. “I make more money outside of the UFC because of who I’ve become. Wherever I go, people want to sponsor me, they want to do different things with me, and send me things.”
