UFC 328 is set for May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The main event features Khamzat Chimaev against Sean Strickland. The two once trained together at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.
Chimaev claims Strickland’s attitude changed after Chimaev made him tap repeatedly. He also says Strickland once brought a gun to the gym. Strickland denies this and says Chimaev is a gym bully. He claims the feud started from a “misunderstanding” in a group chat.
The rivalry has gotten personal, with both trading threats and insults. Strickland once said he would shoot Chimaev if he approached him on the street. Chimaev responded that he wouldn’t try to kill Strickland in the Octagon but made a dark comment about outside it.
In the fight, Chimaev will look to use wrestling and pressure early. Strickland will need to survive the first rounds, use his jab and unusual defense, and drag the fight into later rounds where his volume and cardio could be an advantage.
The co-main features flyweight champ Joshua Van defending against unbeaten Tatsuro Taira. Van will use a high pace, while Taira relies on grappling and submissions. Van predicts he will finish Taira within three rounds.
UFC 328 Chimaev vs Strickland: Full Match Card
The main event is a UFC Middleweight Championship bout between undefeated champion Khamzat Chimaev and former champion Sean Strickland. Their rivalry goes back to training at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, where tensions reportedly started after sparring incidents. Both have traded threats and insults over the years.
The co-main event is a UFC Flyweight Championship fight with champion Joshua Van defending against unbeaten Japanese star Tatsuro Taira. Van’s style is high pace, while Taira is dangerous on the ground with submissions. Van predicts he can finish Taira within three rounds.
Other fights on the card include a heavyweight bout between Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta. Volkov opened as the favorite, but Cortes-Acosta’s odds are improving. A middleweight bout between former LFA champion Osman Diaz and Ateba Gautier is scheduled. This fight was originally set for UFC 320 but Diaz withdrew for medical reasons. There’s also a welterweight bout between Sean Brady and Joaquin Buckley, moved from UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal.
UFC 328 Preview: Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland
The main event at UFC 328 is a middleweight title fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland. Chimaev is undefeated with a 15-0 record, while Strickland has 30 wins and 7 losses. Chimaev is slightly taller at 6’2″ compared to Strickland’s 6’1″. Both fight at 185 lbs and use an orthodox stance.
Chimaev lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute with 60% accuracy and absorbs 2.32 strikes per minute. Strickland lands 6.04 strikes per minute with 42% accuracy, absorbs 4.57 per minute.
On the ground, Chimaev averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes with 55% accuracy and defends 85% of takedowns. Strickland averages 0.71 takedowns per 15 minutes with 64% accuracy and 76% takedown defense. ]Chimaev has a faster average fight time of 8:11 versus Strickland’s 15:54.
Where to watch UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland
UFC 328 will happen on Sunday, May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center. The main card with Chimaev vs. Strickland starts at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT in the US. In India, it will be 6:30 AM IST on Sunday, May 10. In the UK, it starts at 2:00 AM BST on Sunday.
In India, fans can watch it on Sony Sports Network (Sony Ten 2/3) or stream it on SonyLIV. In the US, the main card is on Paramount Plus, while prelims are on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass. In the UK, the live broadcast is on TNT Sports.
FAQs
Q. Who is fighting in the main event?
A. Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland for the middleweight title.
Q. What is the co-main event?
A. Flyweight champ Joshua Van defending against unbeaten Tatsuro Taira.
Q. What other notable fights are on the card?
A. Alexander Volkov vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Osman Diaz vs Ateba Gautier, and Sean
Brady vs Joaquin Buckley.
Q. How can fans watch UFC 328?
A. In India on Sony Ten 2/3 or SonyLIV. In the US on Paramount Plus (main card) and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass (prelims).
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