UFC 328 delivered one of the most memorable nights of the year inside the Prudential Center in Newark, with title fights, major upsets, and dominant performances across the card.
The headline moment came when Sean Strickland reclaimed the UFC middleweight championship with a split decision victory over previously unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev.
Sean Strickland survives early pressure from Khamzat Chimaev
The fight started exactly how many expected.
Chimaev immediately pressured Strickland and secured takedowns early in the opening round. His wrestling controlled much of the first five minutes as Strickland focused on surviving and limiting damage.
But the momentum changed in round two.
Strickland began stuffing takedowns and forcing longer striking exchanges. His jab slowly became a factor as Chimaev’s pace started to slow. The middle rounds turned into competitive stand-up battles, with both fighters landing clean shots.
By the championship rounds, Strickland’s pressure and takedown defense were making the difference. Chimaev still found moments with his wrestling, but Strickland remained composed and continued pushing forward.
After five rounds, the judges awarded Strickland the split decision victory, handing Chimaev the first loss of his professional MMA career.
The win marked Strickland’s return to the top of the middleweight division after previously losing the belt to Dricus du Plessis.
Joshua Van finishes Tatsuro Taira in flyweight title war
The co-main event saw Joshua Van successfully defend his UFC flyweight title against Tatsuro Taira in a high-level battle.
Taira started strong with his grappling and takedowns, but Van adjusted as the fight continued. The striking began shifting in Van’s favor during the later rounds, especially after he hurt Taira badly in the third.
Van continued finding success on the feet before eventually securing a fifth-round stoppage to retain the championship.
At just 24 years old, Van continues to establish himself as one of the fastest-rising champions in the UFC.
Sean Brady dominates Joaquin Buckley with grappling
Sean Brady delivered one of the most dominant performances of the night against Joaquin Buckley.
Brady repeatedly secured takedowns and controlled the fight on the ground from start to finish. Buckley struggled to stop the wrestling pressure as Brady mixed control with submission attempts throughout the bout.
The victory puts Brady back into the welterweight title conversation.
Alexander Volkov edges Waldo Cortes-Acosta
In the heavyweight division, Alexander Volkov earned a decision win over Waldo Cortes-Acosta.
Volkov used his reach and striking volume effectively while controlling distance for much of the fight. Cortes-Acosta found moments with clean boxing combinations, but Volkov’s consistency helped him secure the win on the scorecards.
King Green submits Jeremy Stephens in first round
King Green opened the main card with a quick submission victory over veteran Jeremy Stephens.
Green secured a takedown early before finishing the fight on the ground inside the first round. The performance added another strong result to Green’s recent run in the lightweight division.
UFC 328 ultimately delivered the kind of card fans hoped for, with championship drama, finishes, technical battles, and major moments across multiple divisions.
