MMA returns to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, for a highly anticipated UFC 328 event, headlined by a middleweight championship bout between the current champion Khamzat Chimaev and former titleholder Sean Strickland.
Following his decisive victory over Dricus du Plessis in August, Chimaev will defend his 185-pound title against Strickland. Strickland earned his shot at the championship by defeating Anthony Hernandez with a spectacular third-round knockout in February.
Also featured on the UFC 328 card is Joshua Van’s first defense of his flyweight world championship. Tatsuro Taira, coming off a dominant performance against Brandon Moreno late last year, will challenge for the title.
The main card will also include a potential heavyweight title eliminator as the in-form Waldo Cortes-Acosta faces off against experienced contender Alexander Volkov.
Before the main card action, four preliminary bouts will set the stage, including a featherweight matchup between the streaking Pat Sabatini and the striking specialist William Gomis.
UFC 328 Early Prelim Results and Highlights
- Middleweight Bout: Roman Kopylov defeated Marco Tulio by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
- Featherweight Bout: Pat Sabatini defeated William Gomis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
- Middleweight Bout: Baisangur Susurkaev defeated Djorden Santos via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:12 of Round 3.
- Flyweight Bout: Jose Ochoa defeated Clayton Carpenter by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
