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MMA·PREVIEW·May 5, 2026 03:06 PM ET

Rockhold sees a 'free Khamzat' at UFC 328 with less pressure to win

Chimaev may lean on stand-up if takedowns fail.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated May 52 min read
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What happened: Luke Rockhold told Ariel Helwani that Khamzat Chimaev is taking a different mental approach into UFC 328 in Newark on May 9. Rockhold said the pressure on Chimaev to secure a win was heavier last time out, and that fans should expect a looser, more expressive fighter this trip. He suggested Chimaev is willing to show his stand-up if early takedowns are stuffed.

Why it matters: Chimaev's willingness to fight off the lead leg rather than chain-wrestle is a meaningful tell for a title-stakes main event. Rockhold has already framed Sean Strickland as Chimaev's toughest stylistic test at 185 and 205, so a stand-up-friendly Chimaev cuts directly against Strickland's strength. How freely Chimaev fights could swing method-of-victory markets and the overall pace of the bout.

What to watch: Watch for fight-week media day footage and open workouts to see whether Chimaev's camp confirms a stand-up-first game plan. Method-of-victory and round-prop lines are the cleanest places to track any market reaction.

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