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Tag: UFC 328

  • Khamzat Chimaev Points Finger At ‘American Judges’ For UFC Title Loss To Sean Strickland

    Khamzat Chimaev Points Finger At ‘American Judges’ For UFC Title Loss To Sean Strickland

    Khamzat Chimaev is no longer staying quiet about his first loss inside the Octagon, and he’s pointing toward more than just the action inside the cage as the reason behind it.

    The former middleweight champion suffered a narrow split decision defeat to Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 in Newark, a result that saw Strickland reclaim the 185-pound title. While the fight was widely viewed as competitive, the scorecards immediately sparked debate among fans, media, and fighters alike.

    Now, weeks removed from the bout, Chimaev has voiced his own concerns — and they go beyond simple judging criteria.

    In a now-deleted post on X, later shared via Championship Rounds, Chimaev suggested that nationality may have played a role in how the fight was scored.

    “All judges are American, the organization is American, the opponent is American, and one is Chechen,” he wrote. “It’s a close fight. Who do you think will win?”

    Despite the implication, “Borz” was quick to shut down the idea that he was making excuses for the loss. In a follow-up message on X, he made his intentions clear.

    “No excuses I just wanna f— him up, this s— trying to run away,” he added.

    “Borz” has also continued to push for a rematch with Strickland, doubling down on his desire to run things back after what many viewed as a razor-close contest. Even among media members, scoring was split, with a notable portion favoring the 32-year-old Chechen’s performance on the night.

    The loss marked the first blemish on Chimaev’s previously perfect professional record and ended his reign as middleweight champion.

  • UFC 328 Aftermath Sees Several Fighters Hit With Lengthy Medical Suspensions

    UFC 328 Aftermath Sees Several Fighters Hit With Lengthy Medical Suspensions

    UFC 328 delivered an action-packed night in Newark, but the aftermath shows just how much damage the fighters endured inside the cage.

    Following the May 9 event at Prudential Center, the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board issued a lengthy list of medical suspensions, with 11 fighters receiving indefinite suspensions pending medical clearance. The card was headlined by Sean Strickland reclaiming the title in a grueling split decision over Khamzat Chimaev, and both men were among those sidelined.

    Strickland was handed an indefinite suspension until his left hand is cleared by an orthopedist, along with a mandatory 45-day suspension and 30 days of no contact. “Borz” received a 45-day suspension with 30 days no contact.

    The co-main event fighters also did not escape unscathed. Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira were both issued indefinite suspensions. “The Fearless” must receive clearance on his left hand, while Taira requires a CT scan after suffering a late stoppage loss. “The Best” also faces a 90-day suspension with 60 days no contact.

    Several other fighters across the card were also handed medical suspensions, highlighting the physical toll of the event.

    Full UFC 328 medical suspensions:

    • Sean Strickland: Indefinite (left hand), 45 days, 30 no contact
    • Khamzat Chimaev: 45 days, 30 no contact
    • Joshua Van: Indefinite (left hand), 30 days, 21 no contact
    • Tatsuro Taira: Indefinite (CT scan), 90 days, 60 no contact
    • Alexander Volkov: No suspension
    • Waldo Cortes-Acosta: 30 days, 15 no contact
    • Sean Brady: No suspension
    • Joaquin Buckley: 30 days, 21 no contact
    • King Green: No suspension
    • Jeremy Stephens: Indefinite (groin)
    • Ateba Gautier: No suspension
    • Ozzy Diaz: Indefinite (right eye), 60 days, 30 no contact
    • Yaroslav Amosov: No suspension
    • Joel Alvarez: No suspension
    • Grant Dawson: Indefinite (tibia), 30 days, 21 no contact
    • Mateusz Rebecki: Indefinite (orbit), 30 days, 15 no contact
    • Jim Miller: Indefinite (left hand), 30 days, 15 no contact
    • Jared Gordon: 30 days, 15 no contact
    • Roman Kopylov: 45 days, 30 no contact
    • Marco Tulio: Indefinite (foot/ankle), 45 days, 30 no contact
    • Pat Sabatini: No suspension
    • William Gomis: No suspension
    • Baysangur Susurkaev: Indefinite (hand/foot), 45 days, 30 no contact
    • Djorden Santos: 45 days, 30 no contact
    • Jose Ochoa: 30 days, 21 no contact
    • Clayton Carpenter: Indefinite (lower leg), 45 days, 30 no contact

    Notably, clearance from a medical professional can shorten these suspensions.

  • Dricus Du Plessis Has Hilarious Reaction to Sean Strickland’s Upset Win Over Khamzat Chimaev At UFC 328

    Dricus Du Plessis Has Hilarious Reaction to Sean Strickland’s Upset Win Over Khamzat Chimaev At UFC 328

    Dricus du Plessis may have been one of the happiest people in the building after Sean Strickland shocked the MMA world by defeating Khamzat Chimaev in the UFC 328 main event.

    Strickland reclaimed the middleweight title with a grueling split-decision victory over Chimaev on Saturday night in Newark, handing “Borz” the first loss of his professional career and ending his title reign after just one defense.

    Watching cageside was Du Plessis, who suddenly finds himself right back in the middle of the championship picture thanks to the result.

    The South African previously defeated Strickland twice during his own title reign, first capturing the belt against him at UFC 297 before successfully defending it in their rematch at UFC 312.

    However, Du Plessis later lost the title to Chimaev after being controlled for long stretches in their clash at UFC 319 last year.

    Following UFC 328, “Stillknocks” made it clear he wasn’t surprised by how the fight unfolded.

    Dricus du Plessis Believes Sean Strickland Broke Khamzat Chimaev’s Pace At UFC 328

    “The fight went exactly the way I thought it would,” Du Plessis said in a backstage UFC interview. “Great, great fight by Strickland. Like I said, it’s so hard to keep that man on the ground.”

    Du Plessis explained that Strickland’s ability to repeatedly work his way back to his feet eventually drained Chimaev’s gas tank and shifted the momentum of the fight.

    “He is incredibly tough to hold down,” Du Plessis said. “He made Khamzat tired and that’s exactly what happened.”

    The former champion also reiterated his belief that once the fight stayed standing for extended periods, Strickland held the advantage.

    “And like I said, in the stand-up, [Khamzat] just won’t be able to hang with him,” Du Plessis added. “So congratulations.”

    Du Plessis then jokingly closed his reaction with a line that immediately caught fans’ attention online.

    “I guess this makes me world champion again.”

    Videos circulating on social media also showed Du Plessis celebrating Strickland’s victory cageside, smiling and applauding after the judges announced the decision.

    Although the UFC has not confirmed what comes next at middleweight, Strickland’s win potentially places Du Plessis in a strong position for a trilogy fight, given his two previous victories over the newly crowned champion.

  • UFC 328 Bonuses: Van vs. Taira Earns Fight of the Night

    UFC 328 Bonuses: Van vs. Taira Earns Fight of the Night

    UFC 328 delivered a record-setting night in Newark on Saturday, with Sean Strickland reclaiming the UFC middleweight championship via split decision over Khamzat Chimaev in the main event before a crowd of 17,783 at Prudential Center.

    The event set a new venue gate record of $7.5 million for the Prudential Center, surpassing all previous events held at the arena. The 13-bout card featured two world title fights and seven finishes across the evening.

    The flyweight championship co-main event between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira earned Fight of the Night honors, with both fighters receiving $100,000 bonuses for their performance.

    Jim Miller earned a Performance of the Night bonus worth $100,000 for his first-round submission victory over Jared Gordon. In a significant development alongside the bonus, Miller also signed a new five-fight contract with the UFC following the win, extending one of the longest tenures in the promotion’s history.

    Yaroslav Amosov claimed the second Performance of the Night bonus, also worth $100,000, for his second-round arm-triangle choke submission over Joel Alvarez in a dominant grappling showcase.

  • ‘Does It Again’ – Strickland Bests Chimaev For Middleweight Title

    ‘Does It Again’ – Strickland Bests Chimaev For Middleweight Title

    The undefeated record and middleweight title reign of Khamzat Chimaev ends in his first title defense. Sean Strickland has pulled off another major upset for the middleweight championship, defeating Chimaev in the UFC 328 main event.

    In a case of deja vu, Chimaev got a takedown in the opening minute and didn’t let up the entire first round. Chimaev dominated with positioning, gaining mount and back mount, threatening a choke at the end of the fight’s first five minutes.

    Strickland looked to pressure with strikes to start the second round. Then, both times that Chimaev went for takedowns in the round, Strickland stuffed them. This time, it was Strickland who dominated with positioning, mixing in some strikes.

    Chimaev did not do any takedown attempts in round three, electing to stand and trade with Strickland. Strickland landed plenty of combinations early, but Chimaev landed arguably the most effective punch, tripping up Strickland on a late jab.

    This continued into the fourth round, but Chimaev started to pick things up, working with his right hand, while Strickland appeared to tire a little. Chimaev then started to look for a takedown at the end of round four and going into round five. Strickland attempted to defend and landed jabs, but Chimaev was on the front foot for the majority of the last round, and he landed a pair of takedowns.

    Sean Strickland Recaptures UFC Middleweight Title, Hands Khamzat Chimaev First Loss At UFC 328

    Strickland earned this title shot off a finish of Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston in February. Strickland’s first title defense began at UFC 293, when he upset Israel Adesanya. Strickland, however, dropped the title to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297 and lost their UFC 312 rematch.

    Chimaev was 15-0 entering this fight. He had claimed the middleweight title with a win over Du Plessis at UFC 319 last August.

  • ‘Take A Bow’ – Joshua Van Retains In War With Tatsuro Taira

    ‘Take A Bow’ – Joshua Van Retains In War With Tatsuro Taira

    Joshua Van put on another strong performance in the Octagon to mark his first title defense, defeating Tatsuro Taira to retain the UFC flyweight championship in the co-main event of UFC 328.

    Taira pressured and scored a takedown on Van in the first minute of the fight, controlling Van for the first half of round one until an unsuccessful guillotine attempt. Van was able to avoid Taira’s grappling to start the second round, and he used slick handwork to land several shots upstairs on his challenger.

    Taira, however, scored another takedown halfway through the second round — though Van landed several shots from the bottom. Van turned things up again in the closing seconds of round two, landing a straight right that nearly put Taira out.

    Van avoided Taira’s takedown efforts and continued to work his striking in the third, touching Taira up and busting him open. Van grounded Taira again, landing ground-and-pound and attempting multiple submissions. Taira did manage to score a takedown at the end of round three.

    After a little trading to start round four, Taira scored another takedown on Van, controlling most of the frame on the ground before the last portion featured trading from both men. Taira also looked for a submission in this round, threatening a triangle armbar.

    The fight would not see the final horn, however. Van landed a couple of combinations, wobbling and dropping Taira in the fifth round, and the referee — despite a brief protest from Taira — waved off the action.

    Joshua Van Stops Tatsuro Taira To Retain Flyweight Title At UFC 328

    Van has lost just twice, with one of those fights coming in the UFC, bringing him to a 17-2 record. This was the first title defense for Van, who has now won seven straight, after claiming the belt from Alexandre Pantoja via injury TKO at UFC 323.

    That marked just the second loss of Taira’s MMA career. Taira earned this title shot off a finish of former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323.

  • ‘Heavyweight…Needs New Talent’ – Volkov Defeats Cortes-Acosta

    ‘Heavyweight…Needs New Talent’ – Volkov Defeats Cortes-Acosta

    In a battle of top heavyweight contenders that went down at UFC 328, Alexander Volkov managed to score a victory over Waldo Cortes-Acosta.

    Volkov used leg kicks to his advantage in the opening round, landing a number of them on Cortes-Acosta. Cortes-Acosta landed some powerful shots, but Volkov’s volume and reach advantage helped him gain an early edge.

    Volkov did some damage in the second round as well, landing a solid right jab that pushed Cortes-Acosta back and a leg kick that gave a negative reaction from WCA. WCA, however, brought some power and pressure in the third round, giving it right back to Volkov.

    Volkov, however, did enough to earn the decision on the scorecards.

    Alexander Volkov Gets Decision Over Waldo Cortes-Acosta At UFC 328

    Volkov has now won six of his last seven fights. He came into this bout off a split decision victory over Jailton Almeida in another contender’s bout at UFC 321.

    This snaps a three-fight win streak for WCA. He went 5-1 in 2025, including a pair of knockout wins over Ante Delija and Shamil Gaziev in November.

  • ‘Schooled’ – Sean Brady Dominates Joaquin Buckley On Ground

    ‘Schooled’ – Sean Brady Dominates Joaquin Buckley On Ground

    The ground game of Sean Brady seemed untouchable at UFC 328, as he put on an absolute clinic in a win over Joaquin Buckley.

    Brady scored four takedowns over the course of the 15-minute fight, gaining just over 12 minutes of control time. Buckley was able to get up at times, but Brady’s pressure just proved to be too much.

    Brady, in fact, landed 71 significant ground strikes and landed a total of 245 strikes during the bout. Brady swept the judges’ scorecards, with two judges giving Brady two 10-8 rounds for near finishes — both via TKO and submission.

    Sean Brady Shuts Out Joaquin Buckley At UFC 328

    Brady rebounds from his loss to Michael Morales at UFC 322. That loss had snapped a three-fight losing streak. The only other fighter to defeat Brady is former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad.

    Buckley has now dropped two fights, coming into this bout off a loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta in June 2025. That loss snapped a six-fight win streak Buckley was previously on.

  • Paulo Costa, Josh Hokit Forced To Be Separated At UFC 328

    Paulo Costa, Josh Hokit Forced To Be Separated At UFC 328

    After causing a stir at the UFC Freedom 250 press conference one day earlier, Josh Hokit was involved in a mid-crowd confrontation with Paulo Costa at UFC 328.

    Costa and Hokit got into a verbal confrontation while sitting in the crowd at the Prudential Center, with the two getting close to one another. Hokit appeared to try and take Costa’s drink from out of his hand, with security quickly stepping in to separate the pair.

    Costa had teased something happening between the two of them earlier in the day on social media.

    One day before UFC 328, Hokit was present for a press conference for UFC Freedom 250, hyping up his bout at the event with Derrick Lewis.

    Hokit called out Alex Pereira, mocking the idea of Pereira being the “Baddest Man on the Planet.” Pereira appeared to ignore Hokit’s tirade, with Ilia Topuria stepping in to fire expletives at Hokit, with Hokit giving them right back.

    Topuria then threw an object at Hokit, who was quickly escorted off the stage.

    Hokit, who has been divisive in the eyes of the MMA community since his arrival to the UFC, earned the opportunity to compete at UFC Freedom 250 after his win over Curtis Blaydes last month.

    UFC Freedom 250, which takes place on the lawn of the UFC White House, will occur on Sunday, June 14.

    Costa made a jump to light heavyweight last month, knocking out the previously undefeated Azamat Murzakanov.

  • “One-Way Traffic” – King Green Dominates At UFC 328

    “One-Way Traffic” – King Green Dominates At UFC 328

    King Green continues to perform impressively at his age, needing just one round to defeat Jeremy Stephens at UFC 328.

    Green and Stephens looked to trade early, with Green getting the clear upper hand in strikes. After a pause for a low blow, Green scored a takedown, and the end seemed near at that point as Green got to work with strikes.

    After Stephens unsuccessfully attempted a kimura from the bottom, Green rained down heavy ground-and-pound before getting to Stephens’ back, scoring the first-round submission.

    King Green Runs Through Jeremy Stephens At UFC 328

    Green has now won three straight and improves to 35-17 (1 NC).

    Stephens has now lost three straight and has won just one MMA fight since mid-2018.

  • Ateba Gautier Puts Ozzy Diaz’s Lights Out At UFC 328

    Ateba Gautier Puts Ozzy Diaz’s Lights Out At UFC 328

    Mark off another win and another strong outing for Ateba Gautier, as he put Ozzy Diaz to sleep with a knockout win in the featured prelim of UFC 328.

    Diaz tried to test Gautier early, trying to defend Gautier’s power shots early by trying to work his grappling. Gautier continued to search for the perfect punch, finding success with the effective utilization of his jab.

    Finally, Gautier landed the shot he was looking for in round two, landing a right hand that dropped Diaz, prompting the referee to step in almost right away.

    Ateba Gautier KOs Ozzy Diaz At UFC 328

    Gautier has now won 10 straight, moving to 11-0 as a pro. He’s won all five fights he’s had in the UFC since making his promotional debut last year.

    Diaz is now 1-2 in the UFC, arriving after a pair of wins in the LFA. Diaz fought Joe Pyfer in the fight that earned Pyfer a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series.

  • Slam, Submission, Break Dancing: Amosov Celebrates 2nd UFC Win

    Slam, Submission, Break Dancing: Amosov Celebrates 2nd UFC Win

    Yaroslav Amosov’s encore UFC performance saw another impressive outing, as the former Bellator welterweight champion submitted Joel Alvarez during the UFC 328 prelims.

    Amosov was dominant with his wrestling throughout the fight. Even as Alvarez tried to keep distance and work Amosov into exchanges, he was continuously taken down by Amosov, who dominated with positioning and strikes on the ground and against the fence.

    This led to the highlight finishing sequence in round two, where Amosov landed a slam before immediately jumping into a head-and-arm choke submission position. Amosov scored the submission win and promptly celebrated with break dancing.

    Yaroslav Amosov Lands Slam And Submission At UFC 328

    Amosov made his UFC debut in December, scoring a first-round submission of Neil Magny. Amosov is now 30-1 as a pro MMA fighter, with his sole loss coming when he dropped the Bellator title to Jason Jackson at Bellator 301.

    Alvarez sees a four-fight win streak snapped.

  • ‘Legendary’ – Jim Miller Extends UFC Wins Record At UFC 328

    ‘Legendary’ – Jim Miller Extends UFC Wins Record At UFC 328

    At 42 years old, Jim Miller continues to raise his legacy, adding to his UFC win record with a first-round submission of Jared Gordon during the UFC 328 prelims.

    Miller came right after Gordon with his striking, landing with quite a few heavy punches early. Gordon tried to pick up momentum by catching a kick from Miller, using it to execute a takedown.

    Miller, however, was ready, and he quickly locked up a guillotine choke, scoring the first-round submission.

    Jim Miller Submits Jared Gordon At UFC 329

    The win was Miller’s 39th of his MMA career and 28th in the UFC, extending the UFC record for most career wins.

    The New Jersey native is now 2-2 in his last four and 4-2 in his last six.

    Gordon, meanwhile, is now winless in four of his last six.

  • UFC 328: Abnormal Betting Patterns Reported on Welterweight Fight

    UFC 328: Abnormal Betting Patterns Reported on Welterweight Fight

    Unusual betting activity has been flagged ahead of tonight’s UFC 328 welterweight bout between Sean Brady and Joaquin Buckley at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. According to sports betting analyst Dave Mason of Betag, abnormal patterns from highly monitored accounts have prompted sportsbooks to close prop markets and reduce limits on the main betting line.

    The betting movement has been significant. Buckley, who opened as an underdog, has surged to a -205 favorite after the suspicious activity was detected. Mason reported the shift on social media, noting that the patterns originated from accounts flagged for previous sharp betting behavior.

    Market Restrictions Implemented

    Sportsbooks have responded by closing all prop betting markets for the fight and implementing low limits on the main moneyline. These measures are typically reserved for contests where operators suspect insider information or coordinated betting activity that could indicate advance knowledge of a fighter’s condition or strategy.

    The Brady vs. Buckley matchup serves as a key welterweight eliminator on the UFC 328 card. Brady enters with a professional record built on his grappling credentials, while Buckley has established himself as a knockout artist with highlight-reel finishes throughout his UFC tenure.

    Neither the UFC nor the Nevada State Athletic Commission has commented on the betting irregularities. The fight remains scheduled to proceed as planned on tonight’s card.

  • UFC 328 Results: Chimaev vs Strickland Live Updates & Highlights

    MMA News updates UFC 328 results and highlights live as the action unfolds from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The main event will feature Khamzat Chimaev defending the UFC middleweight championship against Sean Strickland. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Chimaev vs Strickland: Middleweight Title Fight

    The undefeated Chimaev has been seemingly unstoppable in the sport, especially since his 2020 UFC debut. Tonight marks Chimaev’s first UFC title defense after defeating Dricus Du Plessis to become the middleweight champion at UFC 319 last August.

    Strickland enters this fight with five wins in his last seven fights, including a finish of Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston. This marks his fourth middleweight title fight in his last six bouts. Strickland upset Israel Adesanya for the belt at UFC 293 but dropped the title to Du Plessis at UFC 297. He then lost a rematch with DDP at UFC 312.

    The co-main event will also feature gold at stake, as Joshua Van puts the UFC flyweight championship on the line against Tatsuro Taira.

    Van has won six straight and is 9-1 in the UFC. This is his first title defense since winning the title from Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323. On that same card, Taira, who is 18-1 in his MMA career, scored a finish of former champion Brandon Moreno.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC 328!

    How to Watch UFC 328

    • Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
    • Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
    • Streaming: Paramount+
    • Prelims: 5 PM ET / 2:30 PM PT
    • Late Prelims: 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT
    • Main Card: 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT

    UFC 328 Quick Results

    • Main: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland — Sean Strickland def. Khamzat Chimaev via split decision (48-47 x2, 47-48)
    • Co-Main: Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira — Joshua Van def. Tatsuro Taira via TKO (Rd. 5, 1:32)
    • Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta — Alexander Volkov def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
    • Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley — Sean Brady def. Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision (30-25 x2, 30-27)
    • King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens — King Green def. Jeremy Stephens via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 4:20)

    UFC 328 Results & Highlights

    Early Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    Flyweight: Jose Ochoa def. Clayton Carpenter via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Middleweight: Baisangur Susurkaev def. Djorden Santos via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 3, 4:12)

    Featherweight: Pat Sabatini def. William Gomis via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

    Middleweight: Roman Kopylov def. Marco Tulio via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 7 PM ET)

    Lightweight: Jim Miller def. Jared Gordon via submission (guillotine choke) (Rd. 1, 3:29)

    Lightweight: Grant Dawson def. Mateusz Rebecki via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 3, 4:42)

    Welterweight: Yaroslav Amosov def. Joel Alvarez via submission (arm-triangle choke) (Rd. 2, 1:13)

    Middleweight: Ateba Gautier def. Ozzy Diaz via KO (Rd. 2, 1:10)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 9 PM ET)

    Lightweight: King Green def. Jeremy Stephens via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 4:20)

    Welterweight: Sean Brady def. Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision (30-25 x2, 30-27)

    Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

    Flyweight Championship: Joshua Van def. Tatsuro Taira via TKO (Rd. 5, 1:32)

    Middleweight Championship: Sean Strickland def. Khamzat Chimaev via split decision (48-47 x2, 47-48)

  • Islam Makhachev Explains Why Sean Strickland Could Give Khamzat Chimaev Serious Problems at UFC 328

    Islam Makhachev Explains Why Sean Strickland Could Give Khamzat Chimaev Serious Problems at UFC 328

    Islam Makhachev believes Sean Strickland could present far more problems for Khamzat Chimaev than many fans expect ahead of their UFC 328 showdown this weekend.

    While Chimaev enters Saturday’s title fight in Newark as a sizeable betting favorite, the reigning UFC welterweight titleholder suggested the matchup may become much more complicated if Strickland can survive the early grappling exchanges and force “Borz” into deep waters.

    During a recent interview with Red Corner MMA (via Championship Rounds), Makhachev explained that Chimaev’s success may ultimately hinge on whether he can consistently keep Strickland grounded.

    “It’s going to be a good fight,” Makhachev said. “I have already told my teammates that if Khamzat manages to get takedowns, it’s going to be a very easy fight. But if it goes all five rounds, then he would have to work really hard.”

    Islam Makhachev Believes Sean Strickland’s Ability To Stand Back Up Could Change The Fight

    Makhachev pointed to the key difference between Strickland and former champion Dricus du Plessis, whom Chimaev defeated to capture the middleweight belt at UFC 319.

    “Unlike it was with Dricus du Plessis, who was lying on his back and couldn’t get up, I think Strickland will be working his way up, getting up and fighting back,” Makhachev said.

    “I mean, the guys who worked with him at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas say that he’s constantly trying to get up from the ground.”

    Strickland’s durability and defensive grappling have become major talking points heading into UFC 328. Despite competing professionally 37 times across MMA, the former middleweight champion has never been submitted in his career.

    The outspoken American enters the fight with momentum after scoring a knockout victory over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston back in February. Since joining the UFC, Strickland has compiled a 17-7 promotional record, earning notable wins over Paulo Costa, Israel Adesanya, and Nassourdine Imavov.

  • UFC Veteran Explains Why Alex Pereira Could Struggle in Heavyweight Debut Against Ciryl Gane

    UFC Veteran Explains Why Alex Pereira Could Struggle in Heavyweight Debut Against Ciryl Gane

    Alexander Volkov isn’t fully convinced that Alex Pereira’s highly anticipated move to heavyweight will go as smoothly as many fans expect.

    The former two-division champion is set to make his heavyweight debut on June 14 at UFC Freedom Fights 250, where he’ll face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight championship while undisputed titleholder Tom Aspinall continues recovering from an eye injury.

    While much of the MMA world has rallied behind the Brazilian’s pursuit of a third UFC title in a new division, Volkov believes Gane’s style could create serious problems for “Poatan.”

    Speaking during UFC 328 media day in Newark, “Drago” explained why he currently favors the French heavyweight in the matchup.

    “Honestly, Ciryl is more favorite right now,” Volkov said. “He has really great footwork. I respect Alex Pereira and his power, but I don’t know how he will show up in the heavyweight division, and I don’t know how he will do with Ciryl Gane’s style in the octagon

    Alexander Volkov Questions Whether Alex Pereira Can Solve Ciryl Gane’s Movement

    Volkov pointed specifically to Gane’s mobility and movement-heavy striking approach as a potential nightmare matchup for Pereira.

    “Because Pereira needs to pressure the guy and work on counterattacks, and Ciryl Gane don’t give him the opportunity,” Volkov said. “He just punches and kicks and moves a lot. It’s a hard thing for Alex Pereira to solve in the fight. I’m not sure he can do this.”

    Volkov’s opinion carries weight, given his own history with Gane. The Russian heavyweight fought the former interim champion back in 2024 and lost a razor-close split decision, many observers felt could have gone the other way.

    Outside of that defeat, Volkov has quietly built one of the strongest recent runs in the heavyweight division, winning five of his last six fights heading into his UFC 328 clash with Waldo Cortes-Acosta this weekend.

  • Dana White Doesn’t Want Dillon Danis Anywhere Near UFC 328 Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Fight Week Chaos

    Dana White Doesn’t Want Dillon Danis Anywhere Near UFC 328 Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Fight Week Chaos

    Dana White has once again made it clear that Dillon Danis is not welcome anywhere near the UFC, especially during one of the most volatile fight weeks the promotion has seen in years.

    Speaking during a recent appearance on Nina Marie Daniele’s KICK stream, White joked — while also sounding genuinely cautious — about the possibility of Danis showing up at UFC 328 in Newark this weekend amid the already explosive tensions surrounding Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.

    “Dillon, if you show up on Saturday, maybe the Muslim Brotherhood will be so focused on you they won’t be able to go after Sean,” White said.

    The comment comes as security has already been heavily increased throughout UFC 328 fight week following repeated hostile exchanges between Chimaev and Strickland.

    The two middleweights nearly erupted into a physical altercation during Thursday’s press conference, where “Borz” kicked Strickland during an intense faceoff that immediately triggered a massive security response.

    UFC 322 Crowd Brawl Still Hangs Over Dillon Danis

    White’s warning also ties directly back to the chaos that unfolded at UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden late last year.

    During the event, “El Jefe” became involved in a massive crowd brawl linked to members of Islam Makhachev’s entourage after allegedly provoking them cageside. Videos from the incident appeared to show multiple people throwing punches inside the packed arena.

    Several fighters connected to Team Makhachev were reportedly involved in the altercation, including Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Magomed Zaynukov, also known online as “John Pork.”

    The UFC CEO later publicly blamed Danis for the incident and announced that the polarizing fighter would never attend another UFC event again.

  • Watch the UFC 328: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland Weigh-Ins

    Watch the UFC 328: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland Weigh-Ins

    We are now just one day shy of UFC 328, which will see the highly intense middleweight title fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland. Get the latest from all of today’s weigh-ins in New Jersey here with MMANews!

    This will be the first title defense for Chimaev, who has been seemingly unstoppable since he arrived in the UFC in 2020. Chimaev defeated Dricus Du Plessis to win the middleweight title at UFC 319 last August.

    Strickland comes into this title fight off his finish of Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez at UFC Houston three months ago. Strickland upset Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title at UFC 293 but dropped the belt to Du Plessis at UFC 297. Strickland lost again to DDP in a championship rematch at UFC 312.

    The co-main event will also have gold at stake when Joshua Van defends the UFC flyweight championship against Tatsuro Taira.

    Van had a memorable 2025, culminating in him defeating Alexandre Pantoja via injury to become the champion at UFC 323 this past December. The one-loss Taira, meanwhile, earned this title shot by finishing former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323.

    UFC 328 Official And Ceremonial Weigh-Ins

    You can find the YouTube video to view the UFC’s official UFC 328 Morning Weigh-In Show below.

    The Morning Weigh-In show begins at 8:50am ET/5:50am PT.

    You can watch the UFC 328 Ceremonial Weigh-In in the video player below.

    The UFC 328 Ceremonial Weigh-In begins at 6pm ET/3pm PT.

  • Alex Pereira Makes Surprise Pick For Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland At UFC 328

    Alex Pereira Makes Surprise Pick For Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland At UFC 328

    Alex Pereira is backing Sean Strickland to shock the MMA world this weekend at UFC 328.

    Strickland enters Saturday’s main event in Newark as a sizable underdog against undefeated middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, but Pereira believes his former opponent and training partner has the tools to make things extremely difficult for “Borz.”

    During the UFC 328 Countdown, “Poatan” reflected on how his perception of Strickland changed after sharing the Octagon and later training with him.

    “Before our fight, I saw him differently,” Pereira said. “But once he stepped into the octagon, you could see it on his face. He was a different guy. He’s a warrior.”

    The Brazilian knockout artist famously stopped Strickland at UFC 276 to earn his shot at the middleweight title. But after the fight, the two eventually developed mutual respect and spent time training together at the UFC Performance Institute.

    “The first time we trained together was after our fight,” Pereira explained. “I learned a lot from those sessions. He’s got a lot of experience. He knows his craft.”

    Alex Pereira Believes Sean Strickland’s Jab Could Trouble Khamzat Chimaev

    Pereira specifically pointed to Strickland’s relentless pressure and jab-heavy style as key weapons heading into the title fight.

    “He’s always moving forward, firing that jab,” Pereira said. “That’s a great weapon he has.”

    The former two-division UFC champion also offered strategic advice for how Strickland can potentially neutralize Chimaev’s wrestling-heavy attack.

    “He’s got to stay composed, keep pressing forward, stay alert, watch out for the takedowns, and use his jab and front kick,” Pereira said. “I’m really excited and motivated for this fight, and I hope he gets the win.”

    While “Poatan” is focused on supporting Strickland this weekend, he also has a historic opportunity looming next month.

    On June 14, Pereira is scheduled to face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C. A victory would make Pereira the first fighter in UFC history to capture championships across three different divisions since joining the promotion in 2021.


  • UFC 328’s Jeremy Stephens Questions Why Promotion Isn’t Giving Fighters $500,000 Bonuses

    UFC 328’s Jeremy Stephens Questions Why Promotion Isn’t Giving Fighters $500,000 Bonuses

    Jeremy Stephens isn’t convinced the UFC’s newly increased bonus payouts are nearly enough, especially considering how much bigger the company has become since the start of his career.

    Ahead of his UFC 328 showdown against King Green this weekend in Newark, Stephens spoke candidly about fighter compensation during an interview with Full Send MMA.

    The longtime UFC veteran, who made his promotional debut back in 2007, argued that the promotion’s current $100,000 post-fight bonuses still fail to reflect the UFC’s financial growth over the years.

    “Now it is just corporations,” Stephens said. “They are like, here you go, $50 gs here, $50 gs here, and now it is $100 gs, but they were already doing that in 2007 at UFC 71 when I started my UFC career.”

    “Lil’ Heathen” questioned why bonus money has not scaled more dramatically despite the UFC becoming a multi-billion-dollar business.

    “So what the fu*k happened to the money?” Stephens asked. “Where is the budget guy on this, because the UFC is making all this money? Why aren’t we getting $500,000 bonuses?”

    Jeremy Stephens Misses Old “Dana Duffle Bag” Era

    While the UFC recently doubled its standard performance bonuses under the Paramount era, Stephens suggested fighters were often rewarded more generously behind the scenes in previous years.

    “You are basically giving out what you gave out thirty years ago,” Stephens said. “For me, that doesn’t make sense; it is just really corporate. Back in the day, it was the ‘Dana duffle bag,’ bring back the good old days.”

    The 39-year-old Iowa native also reflected on how sponsorship changes altered relationships between fighters and brands. Before exclusive outfitting deals with companies like Reebok and later Venum, fighters were allowed to secure and display their own sponsors inside the Octagon.

    “Before the UFC sponsors took over, I had my own sponsors,” Stephens explained. “I had relationships, communication, and networking. There was so much more availability that opened up bigger platforms.”

    “Now I get a check from someone I don’t even know,” he continued. “I kinda miss that intimate relationship you have with the sponsors and their families.”

  • Tatsuro Taira Plans To End Japan’s Long Wait For UFC Champion With Potential Win At UFC 328

    Tatsuro Taira Plans To End Japan’s Long Wait For UFC Champion With Potential Win At UFC 328

    Tatsuro Taira believes he has the opportunity to accomplish something no Japanese fighter has ever achieved inside the UFC.

    This Saturday at UFC 328, Taira will challenge Joshua Van for the flyweight title in the co-main event at the Prudential Center in Newark. Despite entering as the challenger, oddsmakers currently favor “The Best” to leave New Jersey with championship gold.

    For the 25-year-old contender, the fight represents far more than a personal milestone.

    “It’s my dream and also Japanese fans’,” Taira said during UFC 328 media day. “Japanese fans have been waiting for the UFC belt. I will win and bring the UFC belt back to Japan. I’m ready to seize this opportunity.”

    Tatsuro Taira Looking To Make UFC History For Japan

    Japan has produced some of the most influential fighters in MMA history, but the country has never crowned an undisputed UFC champion despite several close attempts over the years.

    Seasoned veterans such as Kyoji Horiguchi, Kai Asakura, and Yushin Okami all came close to reaching the top of the UFC mountain, but none were ultimately able to capture a title.

    “The Best” now has the chance to change that.

    The Japanese standout enters UFC 328 with an impressive 18-1 professional record and an 8-1 mark inside the UFC. His lone career defeat came in a narrow decision loss to Brandon Royval in 2024

    Since then, Taira has continued building momentum and most recently earned a statement victory to secure his title shot against Van.

    Beyond winning the championship, Taira also hopes his success could help bring the UFC back to Japan for the first time in nearly a decade.

    “I must be the person,” Taira said. “After I win the belt, I want to help bring a big, big UFC event to Japan.”

    The UFC last held an event in Japan back in 2017, and Taira believes becoming champion could reignite the promotion’s presence in one of MMA’s most historic markets.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Reveals Big Plans Beyond Sean Strickland At UFC 328

    Khamzat Chimaev Reveals Big Plans Beyond Sean Strickland At UFC 328

    Khamzat Chimaev may already be looking beyond the middleweight division before even making his first title defense.

    The undefeated champion is set to headline UFC 328 this weekend against bitter rival Sean Strickland in Newark, New Jersey. But during fight week, Chimaev hinted that Saturday night could potentially mark his final appearance at 185 pounds.

    When asked by reporters whether the Strickland fight might be his last middleweight bout, Chimaev gave a humorous but revealing answer.

    “I hope so,” Chimaev said. “I like to eat pizza. We will see.”

    Khamzat Chimaev Targeting Bigger Fights After UFC 328

    While Chimaev remains focused on settling his grudge with Strickland, he made it clear that future plans already include possible moves to light heavyweight — or even heavyweight.

    The undefeated Chechen specifically mentioned Alex Pereira as one of the names he’s interested in fighting if “Poatan” returns to 205 pounds following his upcoming interim heavyweight title clash with Ciryl Gane at the White House event in June.

    “I just want big fights,” Chimaev explained. “Alex Pereira, if he gonna lose to Ciryl Gane, he gonna come back down. He’s big fight too, big name. If not, I’m gonna go to heavyweight.”

    “I need big names, big money,” he added.

    Chimaev also suggested he no longer sees many compelling challenges remaining at middleweight. With contenders like Nassourdine Imavov already holding losses to Strickland, the champion questioned whether continuing to defend the belt against the same cycle of contenders would truly add to his legacy.

    “Even Sean is not a big thing for me because the guy I beat before him for all five rounds — Dricus du Plessis beat him twice,” Chimaev said. “If I stay here, I beat Sean, and then I beat Nassourdine Imavov — Imavov got beat by Sean — what’s the point? Are we just going around in circles playing Russian Roulette?”

  • UFC 328 Fighter Says He Couldn’t Sleep For Days After Ex-Girlfriend Allegedly Stole $300,000 Worth Of Jewelry

    UFC 328 Fighter Says He Couldn’t Sleep For Days After Ex-Girlfriend Allegedly Stole $300,000 Worth Of Jewelry

    King Green says he’s entering UFC 328 carrying far more frustration than usual after allegedly losing $300,000 worth of jewelry in what he described as a betrayal by an ex-girlfriend.

    Speaking during Wednesday’s UFC 328 media day in Newark, Green unexpectedly opened up about the situation while discussing his motivation heading into Saturday’s lightweight matchup against Jeremy Stephens.

    “I just lost $300,000 in jewelry,” Green revealed. “So I got to make up and get some more monies. I’m hot right now, bro. I’ve really been through a lot right now lately. It’s been a real dark path.”

    The veteran fighter later explained that the alleged theft happened shortly after moving into a new home. According to Green, an ex-girlfriend contacted him asking for financial help due to a family emergency.

    “I had an ex-girlfriend, she was basically hitting me up saying, somebody died and she needed some money to help her and stuff,” Green said. “I help people, I take care of people.”

    King Green Says Alleged Theft Left Him Unable To Sleep

    The 39-year-old Californian claimed he allowed her to stop by the house while he headed out for training, unaware that his jewelry collection had been left inside instead of his vehicle, where he normally keeps it.

    “So, I let her come by, gave her a little money and stuff, trying to help her out,” Green said. “I left to go to practice. I left my jewelry in the house. I just bought a new house, I’m in the house maybe a week.”

    “I normally keep it in my car because I know I’m with some crazy motherfu*ker, and she took everything.”

    The incident appears to have deeply affected the longtime UFC veteran emotionally as well as financially.

    “Bro, I couldn’t sleep for like five days, driving around looking for my sh*t,” Green said. “It’s been fu*king dark, bro, it’s been real dark.”

    Despite the turmoil outside the cage, Green enters UFC 328 riding a two-fight winning streak and remains a betting favorite against Stephens. He also made it clear that the financial loss has added extra urgency to his fighting schedule moving forward.

    “I need all that and some more,” Green said while discussing potential bonus money at UFC 328. “I’m that mad, I’m that pissed. I need that and more, so I plan on coming right back to work after this and do another one.”

  • VIDEO: Khamzat Chimaev Kicks Sean Strickland During Heated UFC 328 Staredown, Security Swarms Stage

    VIDEO: Khamzat Chimaev Kicks Sean Strickland During Heated UFC 328 Staredown, Security Swarms Stage

    Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland nearly turned the UFC 328 press conference into complete chaos on Thursday evening after a heated faceoff ended with the reigning middleweight champion kicking his upcoming opponent in front of a packed crowd in Newark.

    The two middleweights finally came face-to-face publicly for the first time since their long-discussed sparring sessions became a major talking point in MMA circles. But any hopes of a calm press conference quickly disappeared once both fighters walked onto the stage at the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House inside the Prudential Center complex.

    Even before taking their seats, “Borz” and Strickland immediately began verbally firing at each other while security personnel positioned themselves closely between the two men.

    The UFC had already increased security measures for the event following days of escalating threats and hostile exchanges between the rivals, with multiple police officers visible throughout the venue.

    Heavy Security Struggles To Contain Chaotic UFC 328 Faceoff

    The tension inside the building continued to rise throughout the press conference as Strickland launched into several profanity-filled tirades directed at “Borz”. The champion repeatedly responded from across the stage while security remained on high alert during the entire presser.

    The atmosphere reached another level once the official faceoffs began.

    As the two fighters squared up for photos following the press conference, Chimaev suddenly kicked Strickland, instantly triggering a swarm of security officers and police who rushed in to separate the pair before the situation escalated further.

    The chaotic scene only added to what has already become one of the UFC’s most volatile fight-week buildups in recent memory. UFC CEO Dana White compared the hostility surrounding the matchup to some of the biggest grudge fights in promotional history.

    Saturday’s UFC 328 main event will see the undefeated Chechen attempt to make the first defense of his middleweight title against the outspoken former champion.