Ali Akbar Rosady
Defending middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev is slated to face third-ranked challenger Sean Strickland in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland. The championship bout will anchor a five-fight main card scheduled for Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, with the main card commencing at approximately 9 p.m. ET, available for streaming on Paramount+.
Khamzat Chimaev, at 32 years old, enters the octagon with an unblemished professional record of 15-0, including nine consecutive victories since joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The reigning champion secured his most recent victory via unanimous decision against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 last August. Known for his relentless pressure and dominant grappling, Chimaev has built a formidable reputation, earning six wins by knockout, six by submission, and three by decision. His exceptional performances have been recognized with six Performance of the Night bonuses and one Fight of the Night award. Chimaev holds the distinction of being the first Chechen-born fighter to claim a UFC championship.
His statistical dominance in the octagon is notable, with records including the most total strikes landed in a single UFC fight (529), the most total ground strikes landed (517), and the most total head strikes landed (411). He also ranks second for the most total strikes attempted in a UFC fight, with 567. Chimaev’s rapid ascent in the sport has garnered him several accolades, including the 2020 Newcomer of the Year, Fan’s Choice Debut of the Year, and the 2024 President’s Choice Fight of the Year. His fighting style, often characterized by aggressive takedowns and suffocating top control, has posed significant challenges to his opponents, enabling him to control the pace and trajectory of his bouts.
Across from him stands Sean Strickland, 35, a former UFC middleweight champion himself, boasting a professional record of 30-7. Strickland’s path to this title shot has been marked by a series of impressive performances, including a recent knockout victory over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez this past February. He has demonstrated consistent form, winning five of his last seven bouts. Strickland’s career statistics highlight his striking prowess, with 12 wins by knockout, complemented by four submission victories and 14 decisions.
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Strickland has also been recognized for his exciting fighting style, earning four Performance of the Night awards and one Fight of the Night bonus. He holds the record for the most significant strikes landed in UFC middleweight division history with 1,575 and ranks second in overall UFC history with 2,307 significant strikes. His memorable upset victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in 2024 was widely regarded as the Upset of the Year, underscoring his capability to overcome highly favored opponents and demonstrating his resilience and tactical evolution within the sport. Strickland typically employs a high-volume, forward-pressure striking approach, often overwhelming opponents with a barrage of jabs and straight punches, combined with solid defensive wrestling.
The stylistic clash between Chimaev’s elite wrestling and grappling and Strickland’s relentless striking and defensive capabilities sets the stage for a compelling championship contest. Chimaev will likely seek to close the distance and utilize his superior wrestling to take the fight to the ground, where he can inflict damage and pursue submissions. Conversely, Strickland’s primary objective will be to maintain distance, establish his jab, and counter Chimaev’s entries, aiming to keep the fight standing and leverage his striking advantage. The early rounds are anticipated to be a crucial period, as both fighters will look to impose their game plan and dictate the rhythm of the bout.
In the pre-fight betting markets, Chimaev has been installed as a substantial favorite. DraftKings Sportsbook lists Chimaev at -590, meaning a bettor would need to risk $590 to win $100. Strickland, meanwhile, is positioned as the underdog at +390. These odds reflect the perceived dominance of the undefeated champion, but also highlight the potential value for bettors confident in Strickland’s ability to pull off another upset.
For those looking to navigate the complexities of MMA betting, seasoned analyst Kyle Marley from SportsLine has provided his expert predictions and betting advice for UFC 328. Marley has a proven track record, with $100 bettors who have followed his picks over the past three-plus years seeing returns of nearly $10,000. Since May 2018, his advice has generated over $21,000 in profits. Marley’s consistent success, including correctly picking five consecutive main-event underdog winners in 2020 following the UFC’s pandemic-induced hiatus, underscores his deep understanding of fight dynamics and betting markets.
Among Marley’s specific recommendations for UFC 328, he has endorsed Pat Sabatini (-180) to secure a victory via submission against William Gomis (+150) in a featherweight preliminary bout. Marley’s analysis points to a classic striker-versus-grappler scenario. "This is a striker vs. grappler matchup with Gomis needing to keep it on the feet," Marley stated. "He has great defense and is very good at range, so if he can keep it there, then he should win. Sabatini should be closing the distance any time it’s on the feet, and he should dominate the fight once on the mat. I’ll take Sabatini by sub." This pick illustrates Marley’s approach to identifying stylistic advantages and potential finishes.
Marley has also offered strong predictions for the main event between Chimaev and Strickland, as well as other matchups on the UFC 328 card. He has indicated support for another fighter whom he describes as "the cleaner striker" to emerge victorious in their respective bout, further signaling his focus on technical advantages in striking exchanges.
The full main card for UFC 328, with odds from DraftKings Sportsbook (subject to change), includes:
- Khamzat Chimaev (-590) vs. Sean Strickland (+390) – Middleweight Championship
- Josh Van (+152) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-196) – Flyweight bout, featuring a rising prospect in Taira against the durable Van.
- Alexander Volkov (-174) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (+136) – Heavyweight clash, pitting the veteran Volkov against the undefeated Cortes-Acosta.
- Sean Brady (-180) vs. Joaquin Buckley (+140) – Welterweight contest, showcasing two dynamic strikers looking to climb the ranks.
- King Green (-340) vs. Jeremy Stephens (+270) – Lightweight matchup, with the veteran Stephens facing the in-form Green.
UFC 328 promises an evening of high-stakes mixed martial arts action, with the middleweight championship headlining a card filled with compelling matchups and potential upsets. The Prudential Center in Newark is set to host a pivotal event in the UFC calendar, drawing attention from across the global MMA community.
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