UFC 328 is shaping up to be an absolute banger, and fight fans in Newark are in for a treat this Saturday at the Prudential Center. The main event features a grudge match that's been simmering for months: middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev puts his title on the line against the outspoken American challenger Sean Strickland. But that's not all—flyweight champion Joshua Van makes his first title defense against the surging Tatsuro Taira in what promises to be a high-flying co-main event.
When you break down the main event, it's a classic striker versus grappler showdown. Strickland earned his shot by getting past another grappler in Brendan Allen, but that fight was a bit of an anomaly—Allen barely used his wrestling. Strickland defended just one takedown and dominated on the feet, finishing with a TKO. But here's the thing: Chimaev isn't the type to abandon his game plan. He's a relentless wrestler who stays in his lane.
Chimaev's title win was one of the ugliest, yet most dominant, performances in UFC history. He spent nearly 22 of the 25 minutes controlling his opponent on the mat. If he's willing to take some boos from the crowd, he'll have no problem dragging Strickland down and grinding out a win. That leaves Strickland with only brief windows at the start of each round to land strikes while backing up. And his knockout power isn't the one-punch variety—it's the slow accumulation of damage. He simply won't have enough time on his feet to build that damage.
Strickland's takedown defense is solid, and it's carried him to this title opportunity. But Chimaev is arguably the most dominant grappler in the UFC right now, with a suffocating top game that smothers opponents. The real question is value. The champion's odds are long, so the value lies in whether he can get a finish. Strickland is a veteran who can survive rounds—just ask Dricus du Plessis, who couldn't put him away in Chimaev's title-winning effort. Strickland has also never been submitted, making the 2.5 round total a tricky bet despite Chimaev likely getting early opportunities. Instead, a smarter play might be a dual outcome bet on Chimaev by submission.
Whether you're watching from the arena or from your living room, UFC 328 is a card you won't want to miss. And if you're looking to gear up for fight night, check out our latest collection of fight-ready apparel to rep your favorite fighter in style.