The UFC returned to New Jersey on Saturday night for UFC 328, a stacked event featuring two championship bouts and a series of memorable performances. Before the main card even began, the evening had already delivered highlight-reel knockouts, submissions, and a reminder that veteran experience still holds value in the sport.
In the main event, undefeated middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev faced former titleholder Sean Strickland in his first title defense. The buildup had been intense, with both fighters exchanging personal remarks during media appearances. The fight started as expected, with Chimaev taking Strickland down with ease and controlling the pace in the first round. However, by the second round, the champion appeared to lose steam, and Strickland seized the opportunity. He defended a takedown and remained on top for over three minutes.
An unusually fatigued Chimaev (15-1) struggled to regain his rhythm as Strickland (30-7) attacked with his signature jab. Both men exchanged heavy blows in the middle rounds, bloodying each other’s faces. In the fifth and final round, each had moments of dominance before the final horn. The judges scored the bout 48-47 twice for Strickland and 48-47 for Chimaev, crowning the American as middleweight champion for the second time. After the decision, both fighters showed mutual respect as the crowd erupted for their countryman.
In the co-main event, flyweight champion Joshua Van (17-2) defended his title against Japanese grappling specialist Tatsuro Taira in a thrilling contest. Taira landed early takedowns and looked poised to become the first Japanese-born UFC champion. But in the second round, Van turned the tables with a vicious right hand that put Taira (18-2) on the ground. Van followed up with strikes to the head and body. To his credit, Taira never quit and continued to wrestle through the championship rounds. Early in the fifth round, Van unleashed punishing shots, forcing a bloodied Taira against the cage. The referee stepped in to stop the fight, and Van celebrated his first successful title defense.
Inside a packed Prudential Center, the energy surged during the preliminary card as rising stars and longtime fan favorites turned the event into a sprint. Former Bellator welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov made a huge statement, overpowering Joel Alvarez with a second-round arm-triangle submission. Amosov looked composed while delivering a high-level grappling performance, flattening his opponent and securing the tap.
Heavyweights Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta battled in a slugfest, with Volkov earning a close split decision. On the main card, Sean Brady dominated Joaquin Buckley on the ground, winning a unanimous decision.
At 42 years old, Jim Miller stepped into the octagon once again and reminded everyone why he is a future Hall of Famer. Fighting just 45 minutes from his hometown of Sparta, New Jersey, the boisterous crowd cheered him on. Miller wasted no time, submitting Jared Gordon with a first-round guillotine choke that sent the arena into a frenzy. Among his many accomplishments, Miller holds several impressive UFC records: most wins in UFC history (28), most wins at lightweight (25), most finishes at lightweight (18), most bouts at lightweight (44), and most overall bouts (47). He was also announced as a 2026 UFC Hall of Fame inductee.
During the broadcast, it was revealed that former middleweight champion Chris “The All-American” Weidman had been elected into the UFC Hall of Fame.