Ali Akbar Rosady
The main event pits two distinct and formidable forces against each other for the coveted middleweight strap. Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev, 32, enters the octagon with an unblemished professional record of 15-0, a testament to his dominant run since joining the UFC. His nine victories within the promotion underscore his rapid ascent and claim to championship status. Chimaev’s last outing saw him successfully defend his title with a unanimous decision victory over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August [2025]. His fighting style is characterized by a relentless, high-pressure approach, combining powerful wrestling with aggressive striking. Of his 15 career wins, six have come by knockout, six by submission, and three by decision, showcasing his versatility as a finisher and his ability to control fights across all facets of MMA.
Chimaev has earned numerous accolades throughout his UFC career, including six "Performance of the Night" bonuses and one "Fight of the Night" award. His impact on the sport is further highlighted by his distinction as the first Chechen-born fighter to claim a UFC championship. Historically, Chimaev holds several UFC records that underscore his overwhelming offensive capabilities: he recorded the most total strikes landed in a single UFC fight with 529, the most total ground strikes landed with 517, and the most total head strikes landed with 411. He also ranks second in total strikes attempted in a UFC fight, with 567. Beyond statistics, his career has been recognized with the 2020 Newcomer of the Year, Fan’s Choice Debut of the Year, and the 2024 President’s Choice Fight of the Year awards, cementing his status as one of the sport’s most compelling figures.
Challenging for the title is Sean Strickland, 35, a seasoned veteran with a professional record of 30-7. Strickland, known for his relentless pace, unorthodox striking, and iron-tough demeanor, brings a wealth of experience and a history of overcoming adversity to this championship clash. He enters UFC 328 on the back of a significant knockout victory over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez in February [2026], a performance that reaffirmed his standing as a top contender. His career record reflects a balanced skillset, with 12 wins by knockout, four by submission, and 14 by decision. Strickland’s recent form has been impressive, securing victories in five of his last seven bouts.
Strickland’s tenure in the UFC has also been marked by considerable success and recognition. He is a former UFC middleweight champion, a title he previously held, adding an extra layer of motivation to his pursuit of reclaiming the belt. Like Chimaev, Strickland has received multiple performance bonuses, earning four "Performance of the Night" awards and one "Fight of the Night" distinction. His striking prowess is statistically significant within the promotion; he holds the record for the most significant strikes landed in UFC middleweight division history, with 1,575. Furthermore, he ranks second in overall significant strikes landed in UFC history, with 2,307, a testament to his high-volume and effective striking game. A defining moment in Strickland’s career was his "2024 Upset of the Year" victory against Israel Adesanya at UFC 293, a fight that saw him dethrone a dominant champion and solidify his legacy.
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The betting odds for the main event reflect Chimaev’s undefeated record and perceived dominance, with DraftKings Sportsbook listing him as a significant -500 favorite. This indicates that a bettor would need to risk $500 to win $100 on Chimaev. Conversely, Sean Strickland is positioned as a substantial underdog at +380, meaning a successful $100 wager on Strickland would yield a profit of $380. These odds set the stage for a compelling narrative: Chimaev’s continued reign against Strickland’s attempt to reclaim the championship and potentially deliver another upset.
For bettors and MMA enthusiasts seeking informed insights, SportsLine’s elite MMA expert, Kyle Marley, has released his comprehensive predictions and betting advice for the entire UFC 328 card. Marley’s track record as an analyst is well-established, having provided consistent winners for SportsLine members over the past five years. Over the last three and a half years, $100 bettors following Marley’s picks have seen a return of nearly $10,000, with total returns exceeding $21,000 since May 2018. His expertise was notably highlighted in 2020 when he successfully picked five consecutive main-event underdog winners following the UFC’s brief pause due to the global pandemic. Anyone who has consistently followed Marley’s UFC betting picks would have observed substantial returns on their investments.
Marley’s detailed analysis for UFC 328, including his specific predictions for Chimaev vs. Strickland and other matchups, is available exclusively on SportsLine. Among his disclosed picks for the undercard, Marley is backing King Green (-440) to secure a unanimous decision victory over Jeremy Stephens (+340) in a lightweight bout on the main card.
Providing context for this matchup, 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 analysis underscores Stephens’ veteran status and knockout power, contrasted with Green’s perceived speed and diverse striking arsenal, suggesting a tactical advantage for Green in a decision-based outcome.
Beyond the main event and the Green-Stephens clash, the UFC 328 main card features several other intriguing matchups with significant implications across their respective divisions. In the flyweight division, Joshua Van (+130) will face Tatsuro Taira (-155). This bout promises a clash of rising talents, with Taira entering as the slight favorite. The heavyweight division will see Alexander Volkov (-125) take on Waldo Cortes-Acosta (+105), a contest that could have significant implications for the rankings, with Volkov holding a narrow favorite status. In the welterweight division, Sean Brady (-198) is set to battle Joaquin Buckley (+164), with Brady favored to extend his impressive run against a dynamic opponent.
Kyle Marley’s complete breakdown of these fights, including his top betting picks and best bets for the entire card, offers comprehensive guidance for those looking to wager on UFC 328. He has also indicated that he is backing another fighter on the card who he identifies as "the cleaner striker" to emerge with a significant victory. His full analysis, including predicted outcomes and detailed reasoning for Chimaev vs. Strickland and all other bouts, remains accessible via SportsLine.
The UFC 328 event is set to be a pivotal night for the middleweight division, with Khamzat Chimaev aiming to solidify his championship reign against a determined and experienced former titleholder in Sean Strickland. The event will broadcast live on Paramount+, with the main card commencing at 9 p.m. ET.
UFC 328 Main Fight Card, Odds (from DraftKings and subject to change):
- 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)
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