UFC 328 takes place on Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., featuring Khamzat Chimaev defending his middleweight title against Sean Strickland. The co-main event includes flyweight champion Joshua Van facing Tatsuro Taira.
Key points
UFC 328 takes place on Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Khamzat Chimaev defends his middleweight title against Sean Strickland.
Chimaev holds an undefeated record of 15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC.
Joshua Van defends his flyweight title against Tatsuro Taira.
One of the most anticipated events of 2026 so far goes down Saturday with UFC 328 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. (Paramount+)
Although it's a strong lineup overall, the main event has all the traction. A middleweight championship grudge match is set to take place with undefeated titleholder Khamzat Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) attempting to make his first defense against outspoken former champ Sean Strickland (30-7 MMA, 17-7 UFC), who is determined to regain the belt.
Meanwhile in the co-main event, flyweight champion Joshua Van (15-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) looks for his first defense against Tatsuro Taira (18-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC).
For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie's UFC 328 pre-event facts.
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland
Khamzat Chimaev
Chimaev is one of 15 undisputed UFC middleweight champions.
Chimaev is one of 15 undefeated titleholders in UFC history.
Chimaev is 5-0 in UFC middleweight competition.
Chimaev's five-fight UFC winning streak at middleweight is the longest active streak in the division.
Chimaev's nine-fight UFC winning streak is tied with Ilia Topuria for fourth-longest among active fighters on the roster behind Islam Makhachev (16), Carlos Ulberg (10) and Movsar Evloev (10).
Chimaev landed 529 total strikes at UFC 319, the single-fight UFC record.
Chimaev landed 411 total head strikes at UFC 319, the single-fight UFC record.
Chimaev landed 517 total ground strikes at UFC 319, the single-fight UFC record.
Chimaev absorbed just one significant strike in his opening four UFC appearances, the least of any fighter in company history.
Chimaev's four UFC performances without absorbing a single significant strike are most in company history.
Chimaev absorbs just 1.04 significant strikes per minute in UFC middleweight competition, the best rate in divisional history.
Chimaev was credited with 21:40 of total control time at UFC 319, the second-most in company history behind Sean Sherk (22:18) over Hermes Franca at UFC 73.
Chimaev has landed at least one takedown in eight of his nine UFC appearances.
Q&A
What is the date and location of UFC 328?
UFC 328 is scheduled for Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Who are the main event fighters at UFC 328?
The main event features Khamzat Chimaev defending his middleweight title against Sean Strickland.
What is Khamzat Chimaev's MMA record before UFC 328?
Khamzat Chimaev has an undefeated record of 15-0 in MMA and 9-0 in UFC.
Who is the co-main event fighter at UFC 328?
The co-main event features flyweight champion Joshua Van defending his title against Tatsuro Taira.
Related Articles
Boxing
Mayweather-Pacquiao bout won't be held at the Sphere on Sept. 19 due to an Eagles concert, putting rematch further in doubt
Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch off for Sept. 19 as Eagles concerts take over the Sphere
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Feature
Nebraska volleyball to compete in inaugural event at AT&T Stadium
Nebraska volleyball to compete in historic AT&T Stadium event
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Pablo Torre Wins Pulitzer Prize for Report on Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard Scandal
Pablo Torre wins the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for his investigation into the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard scandal.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Transfer
Napoli to make Hojlund's move permanent - Wednesday's gossip
Napoli set to make Hojlund's loan permanent for £38m; Chelsea considers Xavi Hernandez as manager.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB
Brewers vs Cardinals live game updates: Rain could cause problems
Brewers vs Cardinals live updates: Rain could disrupt the game tonight
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Sixers coach Nick Nurse briefly leaves team after older brother's death
Sixers coach Nick Nurse steps away for brother's funeral after loss to Knicks
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Chimaev's two UFC victories in a 10-day span in July 2020 marks the fastest stretch in company history.
Chimaev's three UFC victories in a 66-day span from July 2020-September 2020 mark the fastest stretch in company history.
Chimaev has been awarded a fight-night bonus in seven of his nine UFC appearances.
Sean Strickland
Strickland is one of 15 undisputed middleweight champions in UFC history.
Strickland can become the second two-time middleweight champion in UFC history. Israel Adesanya also accomplished the feat.
Strickland is 8-4 since he returned to the UFC middleweight division in October 2020.
Strickland is one of 18 fighters in history to earn victories in three UFC weight classes. He's won at light heavyweight, middleweight and welterweight.
Strickland is one of four fighters in UFC history to earn victories at light heavyweight, middleweight and welterweight. Zak Cummings, Ildemar Alcantara and Trevin Giles also accomplished the feat.
Strickland's two victories in a 14-day stretch at UFC Fight Night 181 and UFC Fight Night 182 are tied for the third shortest span between non-tournament UFC wins.
Strickland's average fight time of 17:47 in UFC middleweight competition is longest in divisional history.
Strickland is one of two fighters in UFC history to land 100 or more significant strikes in 10 separate fights. Max Holloway, who has hit the mark 17 times, also accomplished the feat.
Strickland has landed 2,307 significant strikes in UFC competition, the second-most in company history behind Holloway (3,681).
Strickland has landed 1,575 significant strikes in UFC middleweight competition, the most in divisional history. Michael Bisping, who hasn't competed since November 2017, held the record for more than seven years previous with 1,384 significant strikes landed.
Strickland defends 61.1 percent of all opponent strike attempts in UFC middleweight competition, the highest rate among active fighters in the weight class.
Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira
Joshua Van
Joshua Van, UFC 323
Joshua Van, UFC 323
Van is one of six undisputed UFC flyweight champions.
Van is the only UFC champion from Myanmar.
Van is the first and only UFC champion born in the 2000s.
Van, 24, became the second-youngest first time champion in UFC history behind Jon Jones (23) with his UFC 323 title win.
Van's six-fight UFC winning streak at flyweight is the longest active streak in the division.
Van lands 8.84 significant strikes per minute in UFC competition, the highest rate in company history.
Van lands 56.8 of his significant strike attempts in UFC flyweight competition, the second-best rate in divisional history behind Demetrious Johnson (57.2 percent).
Van and Brandon Royval combined for 419 significant strikes landed at UFC 317, the all-time record for most in a three-fight UFC fight.
Van and Royval combined for 419 significant strikes landed, the most in UFC flyweight history and third-most all-time a single UFC fight.
Van landed 215 significant strikes landed and Royval landed 204 significant strikes landed, marking the first time in UFC history where two fighters have had 200 significant strikes more in a single fight.
Tatsuro Taira
Dec 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Tatsuro Taira (blue gloves) before the fight against Brandon Moreno (red gloves) during UFC 323 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Dec 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Tatsuro Taira (blue gloves) before the fight against Brandon Moreno (red gloves) during UFC 323 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Taira can become the first Japanese-born champion in UFC history.
Taira has earned 14 of his 18 career victories by stoppage.
Taira's six stoppage victories since 2022 in UFC flyweight competition are most in the division.
Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Alexander Volkov's (39-11 MMA, 13-5 UFC) has earned one of five Ezekiel choke submissions in UFC history. He accomplished the feat at UFC 293. Aleksei Oleinik (twice), Uran Satybaldiev and Remco Pardoel have also won with the technique.
Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley
Sean Brady (18-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) set the single-round UFC record for most control time with 4:57 out of 5:00 in Round 2 at UFC Fight Night 255.
Joaquin Buckley (22-7 MMA, 11-5 UFC) is 6-1 since he dropped to the welterweight division in May 2023.
Buckley is one of six fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a spinning back kick to the head. He accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN+ 37.
King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens
Mar 8, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; King Green (red gloves) prepares to fight Maurice Ruffy (not pictured ) during UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Mar 8, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; King Green (red gloves) prepares to fight Maurice Ruffy (not pictured ) during UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
King Green (34-17-1 MMA, 15-12-1 UFC) competes in his 28th UFC lightweight bout, tied for the third-most appearances in divisional history behind Jim Miller (43) and Clay Guida (30).
Green has landed 1,950 significant strikes in UFC lightweight competition, the most in divisional history.
Green has landed 2,191 total strikes in UFC lightweight competition, the most in divisional history.
Jeremy Stephens (29-22 MMA, 15-19 UFC) is winless in his past seven UFC appearances.
Stephens is 1-8 with one no contest in his past 10 MMA fights dating back to July 2018.
Stephens' 18 knockdowns landed in UFC competition are tied with Anderson Silva for second most in company history behind Donald Cerrone (20).
Stephens' 11 knockdowns landed in UFC featherweight competition are second-most in divisional history behind Josh Emmett (12).
Stephens' five knockdowns landed at UFC 215 are tied for second most in a single UFC fight. Steven Nguyen holds the record with a six-knockdown performance.
Stephens earned the first head-kick knockout in UFC featherweight history when he stopped Rony Jason at UFC Fight Night 32 in November 2013.
Stephens vs. Yair Rodriguez at UFC on ESPN+ 17, which ended in 15 seconds, marked the second fastest no contest in UFC history behind the 11-second ending between Antonio Carlos Junior and Kevin Casey at UFC Fight Night 80 in December 2015.
Stephens' 19 UFC losses are tied with Guida for most in company history.
Stephens' 13 decision losses in UFC competition are tied with Miller for most in company history.
Ateba Gautier vs. Ozzy Diaz
Ateba Gautier's (10-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) four-fight UFC winning streak at middleweight is tied for the third-longest active streak in the division behind Chimaev (five) and Imavov (five).
Gautier has earned nine of his 10 career victories by stoppage.
Grant Dawson vs. Mateusz Rebecki
Grant Dawson (23-3-1 MMA, 11-2-1 UFC) is 7-2-1 since he moved up to the UFC lightweight division in March 2020.
Jim Miller vs. Jared Gordon
Jim MIller
Jim MIller
Jim Miller (38-19 MMA, 27-18 UFC) competes in his 47th UFC bout, the most appearances in company history. His 44th lightweight appearance is the divisional record.
Miller's total fight time of 7:05:31 in UFC lightweight competition is most in divisional history.
Miller's 27 victories in UFC competition are most in company history.
Miller's 24 victories in UFC lightweight competition are the most in divisional history.
Miller's 19 stoppage victories in UFC competition are second-most in company history behind Charles Oliveira (21).
Miller's 17 stoppage victories in UFC lightweight competition are most in divisional history.
Miller's 51 submission attempts in UFC competition are the most in company history.
Miller's 13 submission victories in UFC competition are second-most in company history behind Oliveira (17).
Miller's 11 submission victories in UFC lightweight competition are tied with Oliveira for most in divisional history.
Miller's 15 fight-night bonuses for UFC lightweight bouts are tied for fourth-most in company history behind Oliveira (21), Cerrone (18) and Nate Diaz (16).
Miller's 14 fight-night bonuses for UFC lightweight bouts are tied for fourth-most in divisional history behind Oliveira (15), Justin Gaethje (15) and Joe Lauzon (15)
Roman Kopylov vs. Marco Tulio
Roman Kopylov (14-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC) is 6-5 in his past 11 fights after starting his career 8-0.
Kopylov's victory at the 4:59 mark of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 249 is tied with four fights for the second-latest stoppage in a three-round UFC bout. Ricky Simon holds the record with his win at 5:00 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 128.
Kopylov defends 88.9 percent of all takedown attempts in UFC middleweight competition, the best rate in divisional history.
Marco Tulio (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) had a +110 significant strike differential (127 vs. 17) at UFC 314, which marked the second-largest differential in a UFC middleweight fight. Anthony Hernandez holds the record with +128 differential at UFC Fight Night 245.
Pat Sabatini vs. William Gomis
Pat Sabatini (21-5 MMA, 8-2 UFC) absorbs just 1.09 significant strikes per minute in UFC featherweight competition, the second-lowest rate in divisional history behind Rani Yahya (1.05).
Clayton Carpenter vs. Jose Ochoa
Clayton Carpenter (8-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has suffered consecutive losses after starting his career 8-0.
UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on X @MJCflipdascript.
