UFC 328 brings the middleweight championship to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on 9 May 2026. Undefeated champion Khamzat Chimaev makes his first title defence against former champion Sean Strickland in a bout that promises to be one of the most compelling matchups of the year. A stacked undercard featuring heavyweight, welterweight, and flyweight action rounds out a card broadcast live on Paramount+ in the United States and TNT Sports in the United Kingdom.
What is UFC 328?
UFC 328 is a numbered pay-per-view event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion. The headline bout is a five-round UFC Middleweight Championship contest between the reigning champion Khamzat Chimaev (15-0) and the No. 3 ranked contender Sean Strickland (30-7). This is Chimaev’s first defence of the 185-pound title he won from Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025. For Strickland, it represents a second shot at reclaiming the belt he memorably won from Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in September 2023.
The main card also features a heavyweight clash between Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta, a welterweight bout pitting Sean Brady against Joaquin Buckley, former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz taking on rising prospect Bogdan Guskov, and a lightweight contest between Bobby Green and Jeremy Stephens. The preliminary card includes a flyweight championship bout between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira, adding further title fight intrigue to the evening.
When is UFC 328?
UFC 328 takes place on Saturday, 9 May 2026. The early prelims begin at 5:00 PM ET (10:00 PM BST), with the preliminary card following at 7:00 PM ET (12:00 AM BST on Sunday). The main card is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET (2:00 AM BST on Sunday, 10 May). The main event walk-outs for Chimaev vs Strickland are typically expected around 11:00 PM ET, though the exact time depends on the length of preceding bouts.
Where is UFC 328?
The event is held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, United States. Often referred to as “The Rock”, the arena has a capacity of approximately 19,500 and sits in downtown Newark, just minutes from Manhattan by PATH train. The Prudential Center is one of the UFC’s most frequently used East Coast venues, with UFC 328 marking the twelfth UFC event held at the arena since 2007. Previous highlights include UFC 302 in 2024, which set the venue’s all-time live gate record.
Key Contenders
Khamzat Chimaev enters the bout with a perfect 15-0 professional record. The Swedish-born fighter of Chechen descent has been a dominant force since his UFC debut in 2020, finishing opponents with a blend of elite wrestling and increasingly refined striking. His title-winning performance against Du Plessis showcased the tactical discipline that has made him one of the most feared fighters in the sport. Chimaev will be the clear favourite to retain his belt.
Sean Strickland brings vastly more experience at 30-7, and has proven he can compete at the very highest level. His upset victory over Adesanya at UFC 293, where he swept the scorecards 49-46 as a +500 underdog, remains one of the biggest title fight upsets in UFC history. After losing the belt to Du Plessis at UFC 312 in February 2025, Strickland bounced back with a third-round TKO victory over Anthony Hernandez in February 2026 to earn this shot. His high-volume, pressure-based striking and defensive awareness make him a dangerous challenge for any champion.
How to Watch
In the United States, UFC 328 streams live on Paramount+. Since the UFC’s broadcast deal with Paramount, all numbered events are included in the Paramount+ subscription at no additional pay-per-view cost. Paramount+ is available on smart TVs, streaming devices (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV), mobile devices, and web browsers.
In the United Kingdom, the event is broadcast live on TNT Sports. Viewers can access TNT Sports via the discovery+ Premium app and web player, or through existing TNT Sports subscriptions on Sky TV, TalkTalk TV, or BT TV. A standalone discovery+ Premium subscription costs around £18 per month.
In Australia, UFC events are typically available through Main Event pay-per-view and Kayo Sports. Across the rest of the world, UFC Fight Pass provides coverage in territories without a dedicated broadcast partner.
History and Records
The UFC’s middleweight division has a rich championship history stretching back to the early days of the organisation. Notable champions include Anderson Silva, who holds the record for the longest title reign at 2,457 days, as well as Chris Weidman, Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, and Dricus du Plessis. Strickland became champion at UFC 293 in one of the most stunning upsets the division has ever seen. Should Chimaev successfully defend the belt, he would continue his pursuit of the kind of unbeaten legacy that comparisons with his mentor and fellow Chechen fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov inevitably invite.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for UFC 328 are available through Ticketmaster and the Prudential Center box office, with prices starting from approximately $359 for upper-level seating. Floor seats and premium cageside packages command significantly higher prices. Given the profile of the main event, availability is limited and the card is expected to sell out. VIP and hospitality packages are offered through UFC VIP Experience at ufcvip.com, which includes premium seating, exclusive lounge access, and official merchandise.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does UFC 328 start?
The early prelims begin at 5:00 PM ET on Saturday, 9 May 2026, with the main card starting at 9:00 PM ET (2:00 AM BST on Sunday, 10 May).
Where is UFC 328 being held?
The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, United States.
How can I watch UFC 328?
In the US, stream on Paramount+. In the UK, watch on TNT Sports via discovery+ or Sky/BT. In Australia, via Main Event or Kayo Sports.
Who won the UFC middleweight title last?
Khamzat Chimaev won the middleweight championship by defeating Dricus du Plessis via unanimous decision at UFC 319 in August 2025.