Last night at UFC 328, the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey was absolutely electric. This stacked card had something for every fight fan—from a heated grudge match main event to a high-flying flyweight title fight, plus heavyweight collisions, striker-versus-grappler showdowns, and even a veteran brawl. Oh, and did we mention another gambling controversy? It was a night to remember.
Let's break down the biggest moments and best performances from the cage.
The main event delivered one of the biggest title upsets in recent memory: Sean Strickland outlasted Khamzat Chimaev to become a two-time UFC champion. Round one was classic "Borz"—Chimaev tossed Strickland around the octagon, threatened with back takes, and landed multiple mat returns. But he never locked in a fight-ending choke, and Strickland did a far better job than Dricus du Plessis of staying active from defensive positions. By round two, Chimaev was already showing signs of fatigue.
Strickland didn't exactly explode out of the gates, but he decisively won the second round by reversing a takedown and spending most of it on top. Things looked grim for Chimaev just 10 minutes in. But credit to him—he responded well, doubling down on his standup and making the fight competitive in rounds three and four by pressing forward with heavy swings. The fifth round was the decider, and it was razor-close. Strickland landed crisp jabs, while Chimaev connected with big shots and a couple of takedowns. In the end, two of three judges scored it for Strickland, sealing his return to the throne.
But here's the honest take: was anyone else a little disappointed? Chimaev gassed way too early, and his vaunted wrestling vanished after just five minutes. He even pulled guard twice. So much for the unstoppable demon with no known weaknesses, right? Meanwhile, Strickland's slow start left fans wanting more aggression. Still, a win is a win, and this one will be talked about for years.
