UFC 328 is here. The most anticipated grudge match of 2026 goes down tonight, Saturday May 9, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Khamzat Chimaev defends the UFC middleweight championship against Sean Strickland in a five-round main event fueled by real animosity, a viral UFC 328 press conference brawl, and a weigh-in that sparked its own firestorm of controversy.
UFC 328 Time: When Does the UFC Fight Card Start Tonight
UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland takes place Saturday, May 9, at Prudential Center. The early prelims kick off at 5 PM ET on Paramount+ and UFC Fight Pass. The prelims begin at 7 PM ET, and the main card starts at 9 PM ET, also on Paramount+.
The Strickland vs Chimaev main event is scheduled as the final fight of the night and is not expected to begin until well after 11 PM ET. Fans should plan accordingly for a late finish on the UFC fight card tonight.
UFC 328 Full Fight Card
The full UFC 328 fight card features a UFC middleweight championship five-round main event between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland, and a flyweight title co-main event between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira.
| Fight | Division | Stakes |
|---|---|---|
| Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland | Middleweight | UFC Title |
| Joshua Van vs Tatsuro Taira | Flyweight | UFC Title |
| Alexander Volkov vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta | Heavyweight | — |
| Sean Brady vs Joaquin Buckley | Welterweight | — |
| King Green vs Jeremy Stephens | Lightweight | — |
| Grant Dawson vs Mateusz Rebecki | Lightweight | — |
| Joel Alvarez vs Yaroslav Amosov | Welterweight | — |
Van and Taira are set to make history as the first UFC title bout contested between two Asian male fighters, as well as the title fight with the youngest combined age between both competitors. Van is 24 and Taira is 26.
Did Khamzat Make Weight? The Weigh-In Controversy at UFC 328
The biggest pre-fight storyline surrounding Chimaev vs Strickland was the weigh-in. Reports suggested Chimaev had to cut a whopping 46 pounds for his first official title defense, putting fans on edge heading into Friday morning.
Both Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland hit their target numbers, each weighing in at 185 pounds for the UFC middleweight championship bout, making the Strickland vs Chimaev fight official.
Not everyone accepted the result. UFC veteran Bryce Mitchell took to social media claiming Chimaev never actually made weight and that those in power covered it up. "That dude didn't make that weight. There's no convincing me bro… it's all bull," Mitchell posted. The New Jersey State Athletic Commission has stood by the official numbers.
UFC 328 Press Conference: Chimaev Kicks Strickland in Wild Faceoff
The UFC 328 press conference on Thursday night was pure chaos from the first minute. Even with police, extra security, and UFC CEO Dana White present, the rivals traded barbs for nearly the entire 30-minute run time before things turned physical.
As Chimaev and Strickland were brought face-to-face, Chimaev told his rival, "I'm not going to touch you," then immediately landed a kick to Strickland's lower body. Strickland fell back and chaos broke loose as security swarmed the stage.
Strickland later took to social media calling the move "exactly what I expected a coward to do." Dana White reacted the following day saying, "I haven't had a press conference like that in a very long time."
Strickland vs Chimaev: The Rivalry and What Is at Stake
The two middleweights have been at odds since their relationship soured following a brief stretch as sparring partners at Las Vegas' Xtreme Couture gym. That animosity has ratcheted up tenfold since the UFC 328 headliner was booked.
Khamzat Chimaev enters at 15-0 and is the No. 3 pound-for-pound fighter in the sport according to multiple outlets, holding the UFC middleweight title after his dominant win over Dricus du Plessis in August 2025. Sean Strickland enters at 30-7 and rebounded this past February with a third-round stoppage of Anthony Hernandez.
Chimaev focused on the financial motive heading into fight night. "I am here just to make money. I just care about making millions, smashing somebody, being happy and going home," Chimaev said at the UFC 328 press conference.
Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland: Keys to the Fight
Chimaev enters as a massive betting favorite, with his undefeated record and dominant wrestling style the central concern for the Strickland camp. Strickland's path to victory runs through his output, pace, and ability to stay upright and avoid the clinch in the early rounds.
Strickland warned fans about Chimaev's style before the UFC fight tonight. "Who wants to watch this guy go dry hump everybody? You have this no personality, unlikable dog as a champion," Strickland said. Chimaev, meanwhile, told the media he simply hoped Strickland arrived healthy and ready with no excuses when the fight ends.
The UFC card tonight at Prudential Center promises one of the most electric atmospheres of the year. Strickland vs Chimaev goes live on Paramount+ starting at 9 PM ET, and fight fans should not miss a second of it.
