The UFC makes a return at the Prudential Center as New Jersey MMA fans have an exciting event to look forward to.
The last time the biggest MMA organisation visited Newark was at UFC 316, where Merab Dvalishvili submitted Sean O’Malley to retain the bantamweight title, as well as Kayla Harrison becoming the new UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion.
On the upcoming fight card on Saturday, 9 May, former champion Sean Strickland takes on the King of the Middleweights, Khamzat Chimaev, in a highly anticipated main-event showdown.
Here is everything you need to know about the main event, plus three other fights that will interest you at UFC 328.
Chimaev wants to continue a path of destruction
‘Borz has not competed since August 2025, when he became the new UFC Middleweight Champion after a dominant display against Dricus Du Plessis, winning by unanimous decision.
The UAE mixed martial artist has been one of the most eye-catching undefeated fighters in the UFC, due to his impressive wrestling and quick finishes.
Prior to his title victory, Chimaev has proved he can beat tough competition, especially after defeating former UFC Champions Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker in Abu Dhabi.
Nine of the 32-year-old’s stoppage victories have ended in the first round as he doesn’t usually spend a long time in the Octagon.
The Russia-born fighter has only gone the distance three times, one of them his fan-friendly battle with Gilbert Burns at UFC 273, which ended in a unanimous decision triumph.
Chimaev is already eyeing the light heavyweight championship to become a two-division champion, but he needs to make quick work of his upcoming opponent, which will be a tricky job.
Strickland’s second chance at regaining the title
The American returned to the win column in his last bout, defeating Anthony Hernandez by third-round TKO to reclaim a title shot.
The former 185-pound champion tried to regain his title at UFC 312 in a rematch against Du Plessis, but lost convincingly by unanimous decision.
Strickland has claimed many credible victories, including his title triumph over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293, as well as wins over Nassourdine Imavov and Paulo Costa.
The 35-year-old is more well-known for going the distance, but he usually means business if he gets a stoppage victory prior to a championship fight.
With 30 wins in his MMA career, the #3 contender has racked up 12 knockouts and four submissions as he could pull off a surprise finish at any time.
In the USA, Strickland is a fan-favourite, and if he becomes a two-time UFC Champion in Newark, the crowd will be going mental.
Three other key fights at UFC 328
Joshua Van vs Tatsuro Taira
The co-main event is a flyweight title bout, with the champion making his first defence against a tricky, well-rounded contender.
Van became the King of the 125-pound division after defeating Alexandre Pantoja by first-round TKO, due to the Brazilian suffering an elbow injury.
Taira earned his shot at gold after beating Brandon Moreno by second-round TKO at UFC 323, despite the stoppage being premature from the referee.
Both fighter won their last fight in unfortunate circumstances, so this will truly show who is the more worthy mixed martial artist at flyweight.
Alexander Volkov vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta
A heavyweight showdown that could decide a future heavyweight title challenger, depending on the division’s situation.
Volkov claimed redemption in his last contest with a split decision victory over Jailton Almeida, leaving him as the #2 contender.
Cortes-Acosta is on a three-fight win streak with all victories ending by KO/TKO, as his last bout came at UFC 324, where he stopped Derrick Lewis in round two.
Both warriors look destined to fight for the belt, and this fight could truly decide who may compete against Aspinall or the winner of Pereira vs Gane.
Sean Brady vs Joaquin Buckley
It’s a welterweight clash for redemption as both men lost their respective, triumphant streaks and now try to return to winning ways.
Brady lost his spot at #1 in the 170-pound rankings after Michael Morales stopped the American by first-round TKO at UFC 322.
Buckley was unable to defeat Usman, losing by unanimous decision at UFC Atlanta, which ended his six-fight win streak.
Both competitors are still in the top 10, but Brady is further up in the rankings and does not want to fall down, giving ‘New Mansa’ a great opportunity.