UFC 328 Results and Main Card Review: Sean Strickland Defeats Khamzat Chimaev to Reclaim Middleweight Title

UFC 328 delivered two significant title fights at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, with major implications for both the middleweight and flyweight divisions.

In the main event, Sean Strickland regained the UFC middleweight title with a closely contested split-decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev. In the co-main event, Joshua Van successfully defended his flyweight belt with a fifth-round TKO over Tatsuro Taira.

Here is our technical breakdown of the UFC 328 main card.

Main Event: Sean Strickland def. Khamzat Chimaev (Split Decision) – Middleweight Title

Official Result: Sean Strickland defeats Khamzat Chimaev by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47).

Chimaev entered the Octagon as the champion and looked every bit the part during the opening round. He quickly dragged Strickland to the mat, dominated the grappling exchanges, and completely neutralized the challenger’s offense.

It looked like the beginning of a long night.

But Sean Strickland did not panic. He survived.

By Round 2, signs of fatigue began to emerge in Khamzat Chimaev, possibly influenced in part by the demands of a difficult weight cut. Sean Strickland stuffed a crucial takedown attempt, established top position, and began to shift the momentum of the fight.

Back on the feet in Round 3, Sean Strickland began to establish his usual forward pressure, working behind the jab and keeping Khamzat Chimaev at range during several exchanges.

Chimaev secured important takedowns late in Round 4 and early in Round 5, with the fith round proving pivotal on two of the three scorecards. However, Strickland was able to return to his feet and finish the final round strongly in the striking exchanges.

All five rounds were competitive, and the outcome ultimately came down to how the judges interpreted a series of close exchanges across the championship rounds.

Co-Main Event: Joshua Van def. Tatsuro Taira (TKO, Round 5) – Flyweight Title

Official Result: Joshua Van defeats Tatsuro Taira by TKO (punches) at 1:32 of Round 5.

Taira entered with an elite grappling pedigree, but Van showed exactly why he holds the flyweight title.

This was a grueling, high-paced chess match that ultimately ended in violent fashion.

For four rounds, Taira threatened with submission chains and repeatedly attempted to drag Van into his world.

Van’s defensive wrestling, however, was outstanding. He scrambled out of danger with technical precision and never allowed Taira to establish prolonged back control.

As the fight entered the fifth round, momentum shifted decisively.

Van pressed the action, trapped Taira against the fence, and unleashed a blistering combination to the body and head, forcing the referee to step in.

Main Card Standouts: Heavyweights, Welterweights, and a Catchweight Submission

Alexander Volkov def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (Unanimous Decision)

Scores: 30-27, 29-28, 29-28

Volkov fought an intelligent and disciplined contest, using his reach advantage to control distance with calf kicks and straight punches.

He never allowed the fight to descend into a brawl and showcased the poise of a seasoned veteran.

Sean Brady def. Joaquin Buckley (Unanimous Decision)

Scores: 30-25, 30-25, 30-27

Brady delivered a dominant wrestling clinic, repeatedly chaining takedowns and smothering Buckley with top pressure.

The lopsided scorecards reflected just how one-sided the contest was.

King Green def. Jeremy Stephens (Submission, Round 1)

Official Result: Rear-naked choke at 4:20 of Round 1.

In a 160-pound catchweight bout after Stephens missed weight by four pounds, Green showed no mercy.

The veteran secured the takedown, landed heavy ground-and-pound, and smoothly transitioned to the back to finish the choke.

Green is now riding a three-fight win streak and continues to demonstrate his elite transitional grappling.

UFC 328 Preliminary Card Results

Ateba Gautier def. Ozzy Diaz via TKO (punches) — Round 2, 1:10
Yaroslav Amosov def. Joel Alvarez via submission (arm-triangle choke) — Round 2, 1:13
Grant Dawson def. Mateusz Rębecki via submission (rear-naked choke) — Round 3, 4:42
Jim Miller def. Jared Gordon via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 1, 3:29

UFC 328 Early Preliminary Card Results

Roman Kopylov def. Marco Tulio via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Pat Sabatini def. William Gomis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Baisangur Susurkaev def. Djorden Santos via submission (rear-naked choke) — Round 3, 4:11
Jose Ochoa def. Clayton Carpenter via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)