The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, is set to host one of the most highly anticipated mixed martial arts events of the year as UFC 328 takes center stage on Saturday, May 9, 2026. The buzz in the air is undeniable, with fans and pundits alike eager to see how the night unfolds—especially with the middleweight title on the line in a clash between former sparring partners Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland. The event promises drama, skill, and perhaps a few surprises, both inside and outside the Octagon.
The main card for UFC 328 is scheduled to kick off at 9 p.m. ET, following the early prelims at 5 p.m. ET and the prelims at 7 p.m. ET. The main event is expected to begin around 11:30 p.m. ET, but as every fight fan knows, the schedule can shift depending on how the undercard battles play out. For those watching from home, the entire event is available to stream live on Paramount+, with both the prelims and main card included in the subscription—no pay-per-view required. With plans starting at $8.99 per month or $89.99 per year, Paramount+ offers a cost-effective way to catch all the action, alongside other major sports and entertainment content.
But what really has the MMA world talking is the tension that has boiled over between Chimaev and Strickland in the days leading up to their title fight. Thursday's press conference was nothing short of explosive, with both fighters engaging in a relentless war of words for a full half hour. The verbal sparring reached a dramatic peak when Chimaev actually kicked Strickland during their face-off, forcing security and law enforcement to step in and separate the two. The UFC, clearly not wanting a repeat performance, took extraordinary precautions at Friday's final weigh-in, keeping Chimaev and Strickland at least ten feet apart while Strickland continued to lob insults across the stage. If anything, the animosity between these two warriors has only added fuel to an already blazing fire.
Chimaev enters the Octagon with a spotless 15-0 record and an aura of invincibility. The Chechen-born champion overcame significant health issues after a bout with COVID-19, but he returned to the cage in spectacular fashion, capturing the middleweight belt at UFC 319 by defeating Dricus du Plessis. Since then, Chimaev has looked every bit the dominant force many predicted he would become. His grappling, relentless pressure, and finishing ability have made him a nightmare matchup for anyone in the division.
Yet, if there is a man who can disrupt Chimaev’s momentum, it might just be Sean Strickland. The American brawler boasts a record of 30-7, having claimed the middleweight title in 2023 with a stunning victory over Israel Adesanya. Strickland has had a mixed run since then, going 2-2 in his last four fights, but he’s coming off a convincing win over Anthony Hernandez in February 2026. Known for his unorthodox striking and psychological warfare, Strickland has not shied away from expressing his confidence in the lead-up to this fight. As he stated on UFC 328 Countdown, “I think a part of him knows that, if we do wrestle, I'm just going to counter-wrestle. I'll get up. I'll get on top. Or, complete opposite, he knows he can't take me down, and then we just kickbox for five rounds. And then, if that happens, you're going to see him getting frustrated, throw big punches, trying to hit me. And I'm just going to tag him at will.”
The main event isn’t the only bout drawing attention. The co-main event features Joshua Van making his first defense of the UFC flyweight title against rising star Tatsuro Taira. Van claimed the belt in December 2025 after a freak injury to Alexandre Pantoja resulted in a TKO victory. Now, Van looks to silence any doubters by taking on Taira, a 26-year-old phenom with an impressive 8-1 UFC record. The odds are tight, with Taira listed at -162 and Van at +136, indicating a closely matched contest that could swing either way.
The rest of the main card is stacked with talent and intriguing matchups. Heavyweights Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta will clash, with Volkov slightly favored at -130. In the welterweight division, Sean Brady faces Joaquin Buckley, with Brady entering as a -180 favorite. The lightweight bout between King Green and Jeremy Stephens has Green as a heavy favorite at -425, while the middleweight showdown between Ateba Gautier and Ozzy Diaz sees Gautier as a massive -1050 favorite.
The undercard is no less compelling, featuring fighters from across the globe and a mix of seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers. Yaroslav Amosov takes on Joel Alvarez in a welterweight contest, while Grant Dawson faces Mateusz Rebecki in the lightweight division. Jim Miller, a fan favorite with a wealth of experience, squares off against Jared Gordon in another lightweight bout. Early prelims have already delivered some action, with Roman Kopylov defeating Marco Tulio via unanimous decision, Pat Sabatini besting William Gomis by the same margin, Baisangur Susurkaev submitting Djorden Santos in the third round, and Jose Ochoa outpointing Clayton Carpenter.
All eyes, however, remain fixed on the main event. The animosity between Chimaev and Strickland is more than just hype—it’s a genuine clash of personalities and fighting philosophies. Chimaev’s relentless aggression and technical prowess have left a trail of defeated opponents, but Strickland’s resilience and unpredictability make this a fascinating stylistic matchup. The betting odds currently favor Chimaev at -500, with Strickland as a +380 underdog, but as fans have learned time and again, anything can happen when the cage door closes.
Beyond the fights themselves, UFC 328 is a showcase of how mixed martial arts continues to evolve and captivate audiences worldwide. The event’s streaming partnership with Paramount+ reflects the sport’s growing accessibility, allowing fans to tune in live without the added cost of pay-per-view. With a lineup featuring title fights, rising stars, and plenty of drama, UFC 328 promises to be a night to remember.
As the fighters make their final preparations and the crowd in Newark buzzes with anticipation, the only certainty is that UFC 328 will deliver fireworks. Whether Chimaev continues his unbeaten streak or Strickland pulls off a stunning upset, fans are in for a thrilling night of world-class MMA action. Stay tuned—this one’s far from over.