Ali Akbar Rosady
Newark, N.J. – The Prudential Center is poised to host UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland this Saturday, featuring an anticipated middleweight title bout between defending champion Khamzat Chimaev and the division’s third-ranked contender, Sean Strickland. The five-fight main card is scheduled to commence at approximately 9 p.m. ET, with live coverage available on Paramount+.
The championship clash pits two of the sport’s most formidable middleweights against each other. Khamzat Chimaev, 32, enters the octagon with an unblemished professional record of 15-0. His most recent outing at UFC 319 last August saw him secure a unanimous decision victory over Dricus du Plessis, a win that solidified his status as champion. Chimaev’s journey through the UFC has been marked by dominance, securing nine consecutive victories since his promotional debut. His fighting style, characterized by a potent mix of striking and grappling, has led to six knockout wins, six submission victories, and three decisions. A recipient of numerous accolades, Chimaev has earned six Performance of the Night bonuses and one Fight of the Night honor. He is recognized as the first Chechen-born fighter to claim a UFC championship.
Chimaev’s statistical footprint within the UFC is significant, demonstrating his overwhelming presence in the cage. He holds several UFC records, including the most total strikes landed in a single UFC fight with an astonishing 529. This record is further broken down into 517 total ground strikes and 411 total head strikes landed in a single bout, showcasing his suffocating ground-and-pound and control. He also ranks second in total strikes attempted in a UFC fight, with 567. Beyond the numbers, his impact has been recognized with the 2020 Newcomer of the Year, Fan’s Choice Debut of the Year, and 2024 President’s Choice Fight of the Year awards, underscoring his rapid ascent and exciting performances.
Across the octagon, Sean Strickland, 35, brings an impressive 30-7 career record, including a notable stint as a former UFC middleweight champion himself. Strickland’s path to this title shot comes on the heels of a knockout victory over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez earlier this past February. His career ledger boasts 12 wins by knockout, four by submission, and 14 by decision, indicating a well-rounded but primarily striking-focused approach. Strickland has maintained strong momentum, winning five of his last seven contests.
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Strickland’s contributions to the middleweight division’s history are also etched in the record books. He holds the distinction of landing the most significant strikes in UFC middleweight division history, with 1,575. Furthermore, he ranks second in overall UFC history for significant strikes landed, with 2,307, a testament to his high-volume striking and durability. Like Chimaev, Strickland has been recognized for his exciting performances, earning four Performance of the Night awards and one Fight of the Night bonus. His career highlight includes the 2024 Upset of the Year award for his memorable victory against Israel Adesanya at UFC 293, a fight that saw him capture the middleweight championship. This background sets the stage for a compelling narrative as he seeks to reclaim the title.
The betting market, as reflected by DraftKings Sportsbook, positions Khamzat Chimaev as a significant favorite in the main event. Chimaev is currently listed at -500 (requiring a $500 wager to win $100), while Sean Strickland is the underdog at +380 (a $100 wager yields a $380 profit). These odds reflect the perceived gap in the fighters’ recent performances and overall career trajectory, particularly Chimaev’s undefeated record and dominant finishes.
For those interested in the intricacies of mixed martial arts betting, SportsLine expert Kyle Marley has provided detailed predictions and analysis for UFC 328. Marley, an accomplished MMA analyst, has established a strong track record over the past three years, with $100 bettors following his picks reportedly seeing gains of nearly $10,000. Since May 2018, his returns have exceeded $21,000, showcasing consistent success for SportsLine members. His expertise was notably highlighted in 2020 when he accurately predicted five consecutive main-event underdog winners following the UFC’s brief hiatus due to the pandemic.
Marley’s analysis extends beyond the main event, encompassing other significant matchups on the card. For instance, in a lightweight bout on the main card, Marley has endorsed King Green (-440) to secure a unanimous decision victory over Jeremy Stephens (+340). Elaborating on his pick, Marley stated, "Stephens is returning to the UFC for a 36th fight. He is a pure striker and is dangerous with his hands. He needs to get a knockout here because Green is going to be faster, higher paced and he has more striking tools. I will take Green to win 2-3 rounds." This insight provides a glimpse into the depth of his analytical approach, considering factors such as fight experience, striking prowess, and pacing. Further betting insights and expert analysis for all main card bouts, including Chimaev vs. Strickland, are available through SportsLine.
The UFC 328 main card features a compelling lineup of bouts leading up to the championship headliner:
- Khamzat Chimaev (-500) vs. Sean Strickland (+380)
- Joshua Van (+130) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-155)
- Alexander Volkov (-125) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (+105)
- Sean Brady (-198) vs. Joaquin Buckley (+164)
- King Green (-440) vs. Jeremy Stephens (+340)
The co-main event features a pivotal flyweight clash between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira, with Taira entering as a slight favorite. Heavyweight action will see Alexander Volkov take on Waldo Cortes-Acosta in a matchup that promises significant striking exchanges. In the welterweight division, Sean Brady faces Joaquin Buckley, a fight that could have implications for the rankings. The opening bout of the main card, the lightweight contest between King Green and Jeremy Stephens, sets the stage for an evening of high-stakes mixed martial arts.
UFC 328 will be broadcast live exclusively on Paramount+, which offers subscribers access to every UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night live, without additional cost. A Paramount+ subscription also provides a wide array of other sports content, including the UEFA Champions League, college basketball, and NFL and Big Ten coverage on CBS, alongside a vast library of movies and shows. Subscription plans for the service begin at $8.99 per month. For new sports bettors, promotional offers from platforms like DraftKings and Kalshi are often available, with details accessible through their respective review pages.
As UFC 328 approaches, the focus remains firmly on the middleweight championship bout, a clash between a dominant, undefeated champion in Khamzat Chimaev and a resilient, former titleholder in Sean Strickland. The event promises a night of intense competition, with significant implications for the middleweight division and beyond.
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