UFC 328. Held on Saturday. May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, featured a highly anticipated middleweight title fight between reigning champion Khamzat Chimaev and former titleholder Sean Strickland. The main event ended in a split decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-48), with Strickland winning the belt for the first time in his career.

Controversial Main Event and Tense Pre-Fight

Chimaev entered the fight as the favorite, but Strickland’s victory has sparked debate. MMA Fighting’s analysis noted that while Chimaev was initially dominant in the first round, Strickland adjusted in the second and took control of the fight with a strong stand-up game. The final rounds were tightly contested, with both fighters trading blows and grappling attempts, as According to the report, Chimaev fought as if he already expected to lose, possibly hinting at future plans to move up in weight.

Pre-fight tensions ran high. Strickland had previously made controversial comments targeting Chimaev’s race and religion, prompting the UFC to take extra security measures to prevent any pre-fight incidents. The event’s atmosphere was described as highly charged and emotionally intense, with both fighters exchanging heated words during the buildup.

Joshua Van Successfully Defends Flyweight Title

In the co-main event, Joshua Van defended his flyweight title for the first time against Japanese contender Tatsuro Taira. Van stopped Taira in the fifth and final round, maintaining his undefeated record in the division. The fight was a back-and-forth battle with both fighters showing strong grappling and striking skills. Van’s victory solidified his position as a top contender in the flyweight division.

Additional Notable Fights and Production Concerns

Other notable bouts included Sean Brady’s fight against Joaquin Buckley, in which Brady executed a successful dummy strategy. According to MMA Fighting, the event was generally well-received, though some critics noted that the UFC’s frequent commercial breaks affected the viewing experience. The event’s overall quality was described as “a step or two below the hype, but a solid night,” with particular praise for the co-main event.

UFC 328 was broadcast live on Paramount+ in the U.S. and via DAZN in other international markets, including Germany and Mexico. The event was also streamed via UFC Fight Pass for early prelims. According to UFC.com, the main card started at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, with the co-main event and main event both scheduled for five rounds.