UFC 328 is set to electrify the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday, May 10th. This highly anticipated event features a stacked card with compelling matchups, marking the UFC’s fifth numbered event of 2026 and its twelfth visit to Newark, the first since UFC 316 in June 2025.
The headline bout of UFC 328 is a championship showdown. Middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev will make his inaugural title defense against former champion Sean Strickland in a highly anticipated grudge match. In the co-main event, flyweight king Joshua Van defends his belt for the first time against the formidable contender Tatsuro Taira.
UFC 328: What Are Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland’s Walkout Songs?
Fighter walkouts are a pivotal moment in MMA, building immense anticipation before the cage door closes. The arena’s energy soars as the music plays, hyping the crowd for the fighters’ entrance.
Let’s take a closer look at the walkout songs selected by several UFC 328 fighters for their previous Octagon appearances.
Khamzat Chimaev, with an undefeated 9-0 UFC record, steps into his first title defense after claiming the middleweight crown with a dominant unanimous decision win over Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319. Despite his immense popularity, a common misconception associates Chimaev with “Thé à la Menthe” by La Caution, due to its viral link to his online persona. However, Chimaev has never used this track for his UFC entrances. Instead, “Borz” has consistently walked out to the powerful and haunting melody of “Гимн” (“Hymn”) by Timur Mutsuraev, a song that has become synonymous with his intimidating presence on fight night.
Sean Strickland, holding a 17-7 UFC record, enters this bout with renewed confidence after a third-round TKO victory over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston earlier this year. The former middleweight champion is on the cusp of another significant opportunity at UFC 328, aiming for his third chance at UFC gold. Strickland’s walkout music reflects his unyielding, American persona. The 35-year-old Californian typically enters the Octagon to the aggressive metal rendition of “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” by Megaraptor, a choice that perfectly encapsulates the intensity he brings to the cage.
UFC 328: Walkout Songs for Joshua Van, Tatsuro Taira, and Others
Joshua Van, with a 9-1 UFC record and six consecutive victories, enters UFC 328 on a career-defining streak. The 24-year-old Burmese-American sensation secured the 125-pound gold at UFC 323 in December when Alexandre Pantoja suffered a broken hand in the first round. Much like his high-energy fighting style, Van keeps the excitement high from the beginning of fight night. “The Fearless” consistently walks out to the Octagon to “I Dont Know Dem” by Chief Keef.
Tatsuro Taira enters the fight with an impressive 8-1 UFC record and significant momentum following a knockout victory over former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323. For his Octagon entrance, “The Best” chooses “Power to the People (Ultimate Mix, 2020)” by John Lennon and Plastic Ono Band.
Here are the potential walkout songs for other fighters on the UFC 328 card:
- Alexander Volkov: “KATYUSHA” by Alex Terrible
- Waldo Cortes Acosta: “K PARA DE QUÉ” by El Alfa “El Jefe” x El Shick
- Sean Brady: “They Don’t Love You No More” by DJ Khaled feat. Jay Z, Meek Mill, Rick Ross & French Montana
- Joaquin Buckley: “Knuck If You Buck” by Crime Mob, Lil’ Scrappy
- King Green: “Mmhmm” by BigXthaPlug
- Jeremy Stephens: “400 Degreez” by Juvenile
- Joel Alvarez: “Cancion del Mariachi” by Antonio Banderas
- Mateusz Rebecki: “Lubie Jeansy” by Veegas
- Jim Miller: “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Jared Gordon: “By Faith I Will Find It” by Steven Furtick
- Roman Kopylov: “My Homeland Siberia” by Nikolay Emelin
- Baisangur Susurkaev: “Polozhenie (Izzamuzzic Remix)” by Scriptonite
- William Gomis: “0 to 100 / The Catch Up” by Drake
- Pat Sabatini: “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath
