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Tag: UFC 328

  • WATCH: Heavy Police Presence Seen Ahead of UFC 328 Press Conference Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Tensions

    WATCH: Heavy Police Presence Seen Ahead of UFC 328 Press Conference Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Tensions

    Heightened security measures are already visible ahead of the UFC 328 pre-fight press conference as tensions continue to escalate between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.

    Videos circulating on social media from the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House at the Prudential Center showed an unusually large police presence before Thursday’s press conference even began.

    Additional footage also revealed the UFC seating Chimaev and Strickland noticeably far apart on stage, a clear sign the promotion is taking extra precautions before Saturday’s middleweight title fight in Newark, New Jersey.

    The UFC 328 press conference is expected to feature all four championship fighters from this weekend’s pay-per-view card, including flyweight champion Joshua Van and challenger Tatsuro Taira. But much of the attention has centered on the increasingly hostile feud between Chimaev and Strickland.

    UFC Ramps Up Security Amid Escalating Threats

    The buildup to the fight has taken a darker tone in recent days after both men made alarming comments regarding potential confrontations outside the cage.

    “Borz” previously suggested that he and members of his team could confront Strickland during fight week, while Strickland responded by referencing “stand your ground” laws and implying he would defend himself with a firearm if necessary.

    That exchange appears to have prompted the UFC to significantly tighten security around both fighters throughout the week.

    According to reports from Newark, several uniformed Morristown police officers have been assigned to the event in an effort to prevent any physical altercations before fight night. Extra coordination has also reportedly been implemented whenever Strickland moves through media areas or backstage sections of the venue.

    Strickland recently claimed that his primary concern is not Chimaev himself, but the possibility of being confronted by the champion’s large entourage during fight week.

    Meanwhile, Chimaev hinted that Strickland is staying separately from the rest of the UFC roster, further fueling speculation about how seriously the promotion is treating the situation behind the scenes.

  • Ex-Champ Who Went The Distance With Both Men Explains Why Sean Strickland Could Trouble Khamzat Chimaev At UFC 328

    Ex-Champ Who Went The Distance With Both Men Explains Why Sean Strickland Could Trouble Khamzat Chimaev At UFC 328

    Dricus du Plessis believes a lot of people may be underestimating Sean Strickland heading into his title clash with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328.

    Chimaev enters Saturday’s main event at the Prudential Center in Newark as a sizable betting favorite while preparing for the first defense of the middleweight belt he captured from Du Plessis at UFC 319 last year.

    But despite losing his title to “Borz”, Du Plessis isn’t convinced the matchup is as one-sided as many expect.

    Speaking during an appearance on Fight Forecast, “Stillknocks” explained why he believes the opening round could determine everything.

    “The first round is going to tell us so much about this fight,” Du Plessis said. “I know Khamzat is going to get him down. I’ve taken Strickland down so many times. I know Khamzat is going to get him down, but to keep him there? That’s going to be the big question.”

    Du Plessis Gives Strickland Surprising Edge Over Chimaev At UFC 328

    Having spent extended time inside the cage with both men, Du Plessis offered an unexpected assessment when comparing their physicality.

    “Because Strickland’s ability to get up, the technique he uses, the strength he has. He’s a strong guy, a lot stronger than Khamzat on a physical level,” Du Plessis said. “I think he’s going to surprise some people.”

    The South African believes Strickland’s cardio and defensive style could become major factors if the fight extends beyond the early grappling exchanges.

    “If Strickland gets up two or three times in the first round, it’s not going to get easier with the sweat and the fatigue, trying to keep a guy down that gets up,” he said. “It uses a lot more energy than the guy getting up.”

  • UFC 328 Odds, Picks & Best Bets: Predictions for Every Fight on the Card

    UFC 328 Odds, Picks & Best Bets: Predictions for Every Fight on the Card

    UFC 328 is this week, and we’re that much closer to two title fights, including a heated championship main event. Get the latest betting odds and best bets from MMANews!

    In the main event of UFC 328, the UFC middleweight championship will be on the line as Khamzat Chimaev defends against former champion Sean Strickland.

    Despite some inactivity due to illness during his tenure, Chimaev has been seemingly unstoppable since his memorable 2020 arrival to the Octagon. This is Chimaev’s first defense since winning the championship by defeating Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 last August.

    Strickland is 2-2 in his last four but has won five of his last seven, including his finish of Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez at UFC Houston in February. Strickland scored a major upset when he defeated Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title at UFC 293. Strickland, however, dropped the championship to Du Plessis at UFC 297 and lost a rematch at UFC 312.

    The co-main event will see Joshua Van defend the UFC flyweight championship against Tatsuro Taira. This was the planned co-main event for UFC 327 last month, but the bout was delayed to this event after a minor injury to Van.

    Van enters this fight on a six-fight win streak, having an incredible stretch since the middle of 2024. Last year, in fact, saw Van defeat Rei Tsuruya in March, finish Bruno Silva at UFC 316, and take a short-notice bout with Brandon Royval at UFC 317, winning in that card’s Fight of the Night. Van won the title at UFC 323 after Alexandre Pantoja suffered an arm injury 26 seconds into the fight.

    Taira comes into this fight with an 18-1 record. He has rebounded since suffering his first loss by Park Hyun-sung in August and stopping former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323.

    Other UFC 328 main card bouts include Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley, and King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens.

    UFC 328 Betting Odds

    Here are the latest betting odds for UFC 328, as of 12 am ET on May 6, courtesy of DraftKings:

    Early Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    • Flyweight: Clayton Carpenter (+145) vs. Jose Ochoa (-175)
    • Middleweight: Baisangur Susurkaev (-675) vs. Djorden Santos (+490)
    • Featherweight: Pat Sabatini (-218) vs. William Gomis (+180)
    • Middleweight: Roman Kopylov (+154) vs. Marco Tulio (-185)

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 7 PM ET)

    • Lightweight: Jim Miller (+250) vs. Jared Gordon (-310)
    • Lightweight: Grant Dawson (-176) vs. Mateusz Rebecki (+140)
    • Welterweight: Joel Alvarez (+160) vs. Yaroslav Amosov (-192)
    • Middleweight: Ateba Gautier (-1350) vs. Ozzy Diaz (+800)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 9 PM ET)

    • Lightweight: King Green (-360) vs. Jeremy Stephens (+285)
    • Welterweight: Sean Brady (-175) vs. Joaquin Buckley (+145)
    • Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov (-166) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (+140)
    • Flyweight Championship: Joshua Van (+140) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-166)
    • Middleweight Championship: Khamzat Chimaev (-575) vs. Sean Strickland (+425)

    UFC 328 Predictions & Best Bets

    Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland: There is a lot of anticipation around this fight, given the heat between the two. Chimaev is trying to get his first successful defense, and Strickland is looking to pull off another upset to become a two-time champ. Strickland may have a 76 percent takedown defense, per UFC Stats, but the numbers in Chimaev’s grappling statistics are beyond those of the normal UFC fighter. And while Strickland has his own grappling abilities, the wrestling style of Chimaev is a whole other level. For all the hype this fight has on it, it’s probably going to be another one-sided bout in Chimaev’s favor; so far, no one has shown they can be a true, credible threat, to be honest. (Prediction: Chimaev) (Best Bet: Chimaev via decision [+300])

    Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira: Van is the champion and has an amazing 2025; however, he’s the underdog given the circumstances of how he defeated Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title at UFC 323. Regardless, he won the fight and has shown skills in the Octagon that state he is one of the best flyweights in the world. Yet, people have been hoping for a Taira title shot for some time, and he got that by finishing Brandon Moreno (not an easy feat) at UFC 323. This is probably a striking vs. grappling matchup, and while Van isn’t popular in fans’ books, I’m leaning to his 81 percent takedown defense being the key difference. He may not stop all of Taira’s attempts, but it’ll be enough to control the fight through most of its duration. The real question is if the winner of this fight will have a chance against a returning, healthy Pantoja… (Prediction: Van) (Best Bet: Van ML [+140])

    Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta: A major heavyweight contender’s battle here. It’s unfortunate for Volkov that he didn’t get a title shot after his title eliminator win over Jailton Almeida, but that’s par for the course with the state of the UFC’s heavyweight division. And now he has to deal with Waldo Cortes-Acosta, one of the only other positive names in the heavyweight division, coming off a 2025 where he went 5-1 and was one of the top fighters of the year. This is one of the fights on this card that can be a coin flip, but the edge will go to Volkov based on his technical striking. That said, don’t be surprised if WCA lands one of his major power shots that turns the fight’s tide in his favor. (Prediction: Volkov) (Best Bet: Volkov via decision [+140])

    Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley: Major top-10 welterweight matchup here, with the winner finding themselves a fight or two away from earning a shot at the gold. Brady may have had a loss to Michael Morales, but Morales is one fight away from a title shot himself — and Brady had previously rebounded from his first loss with three straight wins and two post-fight bonuses. Buckley comes in off his loss to Kamaru Usman, but he had won six consecutive fights before that. This fight comes down to who can control the action first and best. If it’s Brady, he uses his wrestling for the win. If it’s Buckley, it’s a third loss via KO/TKO for Brady. (Prediction: Brady) (Best Bet: Brady via decision [+150])

    King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens: Jeremy Stephens has made a name for himself post-UFC with his work in BKFC. Even then, he and Mason Jones provided a fun bout last year. But Stephens’ record in his last 10 fights is 1-8 (1 NC)! Green, meanwhile, continues to find ways to win at his age and in the state of his career. While this will be a fun battle, I don’t see a way Stephens gets his hand raised. (Prediction: Green) (Best Bet: Green via decision [+110])

    Ateba Gautier vs. Ozzy Diaz: Ateba Gautier’s power has been his calling card, but his last fight showed him facing some adversity. He was able to rock Andrey Pulyaev, but Pulayev gave him some struggle as the fight went the full 15 minutes. While Diaz can be seen as another test, his only UFC performances have seen him get stopped in one round by Zhang Mingyang and earn a decision over Djorden Santos. It’s pretty doubtful Gautier goes two fights in a row without a finish. But given the odds, honestly, stay away from betting this fight. (Prediction: Gautier) (Best Bet: Gautier via KO/TKO/DQ in Round 2 [+450])

    Joel Alvarez vs. Yaroslav Amosov: Yaroslav Amosov had a decent UFC debut at the end of 2025, fending off early pressure from Neil Magny to score a first-round submission. Now the former Bellator champ gets a tougher test in Joel Alvarez, who has won four straight and eight of his last nine fights (though he has just made his welterweight debut in his last bout). This bout probably spends a lot of time on the floor and comes down to who the better wrestler is — and the lean here will be to Amosov. (Prediction: Amosov) (Best Bet: Fight goes the distance [-105])

    Grant Dawson vs. Mateusz Rebecki: From teammates to opponents — Dawson and Rebecki go at it in a Fight of the Night sleeper nominee. Both men don’t have many losses in competition, but Dawson has been stopped twice in his last five fights, and Rebecki has three losses in his last four. Rebecki has power in his fists, but Dawson has the wrestling to counter that — and go toe-to-toe with Rebecki and his jiu-jitsu. This one’s probably going the distance, and the slight edge should go to Dawson, as the odds suggest. (Prediction: Dawson) (Best Bet: Fight goes the distance [-135])

    Jim Miller vs. Jared Gordon: Jim Miller is an absolute legend who can still pull off big finishes, and people would love to see in a firefight. Jared Gordon has the potential to be that kind of fun opponent — but potential has been a word that has kind of plagued Gordon’s career. Gordon has been the victim of bad luck, bad strategy, and getting finished (namely KO/TKOs) in his career. The 37-year-old hasn’t found consistent success in the Octagon since the pandemic era. Many may expect Gordon to have the edge in this one, but don’t be surprised if Miller pressures his way to a win here. This fight might be in the “too close to call” category. (Prediction: Miller) (Best Bet: Fight goes the distance [-160])

    Roman Kopylov vs. Marco Tulio: A Combat Sambo specialist, Roman Kopylov has had his share of highlights in the Octagon, as seen with his last-second knockout of Chris Curtis and his finish of Josh Fremd. Losses to the likes of Paulo Costa and Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues aren’t bad losses. The 35-year-old Kopylov, however, needs to show he can hang with the better middleweight contenders. Tulio scored a finish of Matthieu Duclos on DWCS, then finished Ihor Potieria and Tresean Gore before running into Christian Leroy Duncan. Perhaps a case of too much, too soon for Tulio? (Prediction: Kopylov) (Best Bet: Kopylov ML {+154])

    Pat Sabatini vs. William Gomis: Pat Sabatini has great wrestling and grappling abilities, and that should give him an edge against William Gomis. It helps that Sabatini has been on a roll between his UFC and grappling competitions, with his last two losses coming in 2022 and 2023 against, respectively, Damon Jackson and Diego Lopes. Sabatini has faced stronger competition, is more experienced, and will have the New Jersey crowd behind him (shout-out to Rider University). The only thing in Gomis’s favor here is that he tends to go the distance; his only submission loss was early in his career, in 2016. (Prediction: Sabatini) (Best Bet: Sabatini via decision [+175])

    Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Djorden Santos: This isn’t to say that Baisangur Susurkaev isn’t deserving of being the favorite here. The problem is, the odds reflect this idea of him being the “Next Big Thing” when he didn’t show the greatest offense (albeit still getting finishes) against Eric Nolan and Eric McConico. Djorden Santos has as much experience, but the fight probably plays out the same — Susurkaev either goes too grapple-heavy to the crowd’s dismay or gets himself in trouble, only for him to find the finish later in the fight. The hope here is to see if Susurkaev can show he’s making progress. (Prediction: Susurkaev) (Best Bet: Susurkaev via KO/TKO/DQ in Round 2 [+450])

    Clayton Carpenter vs. Jose Ochoa: Both men need a win here. Carpenter looked good in his first two outings but went 0-2 in 2025, dropping a decision to Tagir Ulanbekov and getting submitted by Jafel Filho. Ochoa is 1-2, but he’s younger, and he’s faced three talented names in Lone’er Kavanagh, Cody Durden, and Asu Almabayev (with the Almabayev fight coming on short notice). No particular strong edge in this fight, but Ochoa is the more (fairly) well-rounded fighter. (Prediction: Ochoa) (Best Bet: Ochoa via decision [+150])

  • Sean Strickland Rips Into Josh Hokit’s Gimmick, Compares It To WWE – “Jake Paul When He Was 13”

    Sean Strickland Rips Into Josh Hokit’s Gimmick, Compares It To WWE – “Jake Paul When He Was 13”

    Sean Strickland isn’t holding back when it comes to the rising profile of Josh Hokit, questioning the authenticity behind the heavyweight contender’s increasingly loud persona.

    During a recent media scrum ahead of his title fight against reigning middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 this Saturday, Strickland was asked about Hokit’s rise and the attention he’s been generating outside the cage.

    While the former 185-pound titleholder didn’t deny “The Incredible Hok’s” abilities, he made it clear he’s not impressed by the way the heavyweight has been presenting himself.

    “Josh Hokit, you’re a grown-a** man,” Strickland said.

    “You’re like almost 30 years old, and you’re acting like a fu*k Jake Paul when he was 13. Stop, bro. You made it, people know who you are, just stop. You don’t have to interview homeless people and be fu*k weird, just fight now!

    “The thing I don’t like about Josh, and again I’ve met Josh and trained with him, he’s a very likable guy. He’s a really nice guy, and I consider him a friend of mine, but at some point, it’s such a fabricated image, and it reminds you of a WWE skit.”

    Hokit’s Fast Rise Paired With Polarizing Image

    Hokit’s transition from professional football to MMA has been rapid, and his performances have quickly pushed him into the heavyweight spotlight. His recent win over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 elevated him into the division’s top tier and reinforced his potential as a serious contender.

    At the same time, “The Incredible Hok” has leaned heavily into a chaotic, attention-grabbing persona. His pre-fight antics and bold, often bizarre statements have made him one of the more polarizing figures in the UFC. Some fans see it as entertainment and marketability, while others believe it overshadows his actual skill set.

    Despite the criticism, Hokit’s momentum continues to build. He is scheduled to face Derrick Lewis at the White House event on June 14, a high-profile opportunity that could push him even closer to title contention.

  • Former Champ Claims Controversial Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov Could Be In Khamzat Chimaev’s Corner At UFC 328

    Former Champ Claims Controversial Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov Could Be In Khamzat Chimaev’s Corner At UFC 328

    Luke Rockhold has added a controversial layer to fight week ahead of UFC 328, claiming he’s heard talk that Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov could be present in Khamzat Chimaev’s corner.

    “Borz” is set to defend his middleweight title for the first time against Sean Strickland in the main event this weekend at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. But beyond the matchup itself, outside narratives are already shaping the event’s tone.

    Speaking during a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Rockhold claimed:

    “It sounds like we might have Kadyrov in his corner, so I think he’s pretty safe within his mindset. We’ll see how it goes. This fight week is gonna be interesting,”

    The former UFC middleweight champion also referenced recent comments from Strickland, adding another unpredictable element to the buildup.

    “Sean was saying he’s gonna bring a gun. I’m not sure if you can bring a gun out there in New Jersey, but they better check it. Sean is not a real threat in the world of what he’s dealt with and who he deals with.”

    Chimaev’s Long-Standing Ties To Kadyrov

    Chimaev’s connection to Kadyrov has been well-documented throughout his career. Following his title-winning performance against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025, the “Borz” traveled to Chechnya, where he was welcomed by Kadyrov and celebrated in front of a large crowd.

    During the visit, Chimaev was seen handing over his championship belt as they posed for photos together.

    The relationship between the two dates back several years. The controversial leader attended Chimaev’s wedding in 2022, and the pair have frequently been seen training together. However, those ties have also drawn scrutiny, with Kadyrov facing international criticism and sanctions over alleged human rights abuses.

    At one point, Chimaev’s association with Kadyrov reportedly complicated his ability to travel to the United States. Those issues have since been resolved, allowing him to compete freely under the UFC banner.

  • Robert Whittaker Backs Chimaev to Dominate Strickland: ‘Chimaev’s Going to Run Him Over’

    Robert Whittaker Backs Chimaev to Dominate Strickland: ‘Chimaev’s Going to Run Him Over’

    Robert Whittaker has a specific reason why his UFC 328 prediction carries more weight than most. He has already been in the cage with Khamzat Chimaev, felt the pressure firsthand, and was submitted in the first round at UFC 308. That experience shapes everything he said about the Chimaev and Sean Strickland matchup.

    Speaking in a clip posted by UFC on Paramount+ on X, Whittaker acknowledged that Strickland’s confidence and trash talk have made him stop and think before ultimately landing on the same conclusion.

    “We want to see if Strickland has what it takes. All the things he’s talking, he talks a big game, he almost convinces me that he can do it. But having been in there with Chimaev, having seen what Chimaev can do once he gets his hands on him — and he will, because he shoots from so far away and he commits wholeheartedly, and he will get you to the mat. It’s what happens after. Seeing that he has the cardio to be able to do that for five rounds as well, mate, gun to my head, Chimaev’s going to run him over.”

    Whittaker’s framing of the problem is precise. He is not questioning Strickland’s toughness or his boxing ability. He is pointing to the specific sequence that defines Chimaev’s style: entries from distance, total commitment to the shot, and then sustained pressure once the fight reaches the mat. For five rounds.

    Strickland enters at 30-7 as a former middleweight champion with a boxing-heavy game built around controlling range and forcing opponents to react to his pace. Chimaev, unbeaten at 15-0, attacks that comfort zone from the first exchange.

    UFC 328 takes place May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • UFC Releases Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland Countdown Episode Ahead of UFC 328

    UFC Releases Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland Countdown Episode Ahead of UFC 328

    The UFC has released the Countdown episode for this Saturday’s UFC 328 main event, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at both Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland as they prepare for their middleweight title fight in Newark, New Jersey.

    The segment follows both champion and challenger through their final preparations for a bout that has generated extraordinary pre-fight tension, including threats of violence from both sides and a level of genuine animosity that has prompted the UFC to beef up security throughout fight week.

    Chimaev enters the fight at 15-0 making his first title defense, while Strickland comes in at 30-7 as a heavy underdog attempting to become a two-time middleweight champion. The pair have a history stemming from time they spent together at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, with Strickland claiming he dominated Chimaev in those sessions and Chimaev flatly rejecting that account.

    The Countdown is available on the UFC’s YouTube channel. UFC 328 takes place Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, streaming on Paramount+.

    UFC 328 Main Event on Paramount+:

    185 lbs.: Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland

    UFC 328 Main Card on Paramount+ (9 p.m. ET):

    125 lbs.: UFC Flyweight Champion Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira
    265 lbs.: Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta
    170 lbs.: Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley
    155 lbs.: King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens

    UFC 328 ‘Prelims’ Card On Paramount+ (7 p.m. ET):

    185 lbs.: Ateba Gautier vs. Osman Diaz
    170 lbs.: Joel Alvarez vs. Yaroslav Amosov
    155 lbs.: Grant Dawson vs. Mateusz Rebecki
    155 lbs.: Jared Gordon vs. Jim Miller

    UFC 328 ‘Prelims’ Card On Paramount+ (5 p.m. ET):

    185 lbs.: Roman Kopylov vs. Marco Tulio
    145 lbs.: William Gomis vs. Pat Sabatini
    185 lbs.: Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Djorden Santos
    125 lbs.: Clayton Carpenter vs. Jose Ochoa

  • Former UFC Title Challenger Sounds Alarm Over Khamzat Chimaev’s Potential Move To Light Heavyweight

    Former UFC Title Challenger Sounds Alarm Over Khamzat Chimaev’s Potential Move To Light Heavyweight

    Khalil Rountree Jr. has spent the past few months training alongside Khamzat Chimaev, and the experience has left him with a clear takeaway. If “Borz” ever makes the move to light heavyweight, the rest of the division could be in serious trouble.

    Chimaev is currently preparing to defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 328, marking his first defense since capturing the belt in 2025.

    But even before stepping into that fight, the unbeaten champion has openly discussed ambitions of moving up again in pursuit of a second title.

    Khalil Rountree Jr. Sees Major Problems If Khamzat Chimaev Moves Up

    During a recent media scrum, Khalil Rountree Jr. opened up about his time training with Khamzat Chimaev and what it revealed about a potential move to 205 pounds.

    “It’s definitely exhausting,” Rountree said. “It’s exhausting, it’s difficult, it’s humbling. It’s inspiring in a way, too, because his effort and his will, his skill is unmatched. So, when you go up against that, there’s a lot of things that can be said. There’s just a lot of things that can be learned when you truly find yourself going against the best in the world.”

    The former title challenger, who currently sits among the top contenders at light heavyweight, did not hold back when asked about the idea of “Borz” entering the division.

    “I just told you, training with this guy, he’s the best in the world. It’s difficult. It’s difficult in all areas, in standup, in grappling. No one gets an easy round with Khamzat. It doesn’t matter what weight class, what size.

    “That was my initial thought, like, ‘Damn, if he made the move up, we’re all kind of screwed.’ That’s kind of how I look at it.”

  • Watch: UFC Champ Khamzat Chimaev Taps Out MMA Legend In 47 Seconds During Grappling Session

    Watch: UFC Champ Khamzat Chimaev Taps Out MMA Legend In 47 Seconds During Grappling Session

    Khamzat Chimaev recently gave Demetrious Johnson a harsh reminder of the realities of weight classes during a grappling session that quickly turned one-sided.

    The two shared the mats during a training session in California, where “Borz” is preparing for his first title defense. Despite Johnson’s reputation as one of the most technically gifted fighters in MMA history, the size difference between the two proved to be a decisive factor.

    Before the exchange began, “Mighty Mouse” jokingly referenced Arman Tsarukyan while speaking to Chimaev.

    “Did Arman tell you I was good?” Johnson asked. “Arman, tell you I was strong?”

    The 31-year-old Chechen, clearly aware of the disparity in size, responded with a smile.

    “Maybe for him, yeah.”

    What followed was a quick demonstration of Chimaev’s dominance. The UFC middleweight champion wasted little time securing control, locking up a front headlock before transitioning smoothly into a D’arce choke. Within moments, the MMA legend was forced to tap, with those watching noting the exchange lasted just 47 seconds.

    Given the circumstances, the outcome wasn’t particularly surprising. The 39-year-old American built his legacy competing at 125 pounds, while “Borz” currently rules the 185-pound division. Even with Johnson’s elite skill set, overcoming that kind of physical gap was always going to be a challenge.

    Johnson later addressed the moment with a dose of realism, explaining his decision-making during the exchange.

    “You guys are like ‘man, why did he pull guard?’” Johnson said. “Do you think I’m going to shoot a f*cking takedown on Khamzat Chimaev?”

    Now retired from active competition, “Mighty Mouse” is set to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame as part of the 2026 class, further cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

    As for Chimaev, his focus remains on the future. He is scheduled to defend his middleweight title against former champ Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 on May 9 at the Prudential Center.

  • Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira Title Fight Rebooked For UFC 328

    Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira Title Fight Rebooked For UFC 328

    The UFC flyweight championship matchup between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira, originally scheduled for UFC 327, has been rescheduled for UFC 328.

    Hours ago, reports circulated, originally from MMA Fighting, that Van has been forced out of UFC 327 for undisclosed reasons. The UFC had not announced an update on the fight to that point.

    During the UFC Vegas 115 broadcast, the promotion confirmed Van’s withdrawal from UFC 327; however, they stated the bout would only be delayed by a month. It is now booked for the co-main event of UFC 328.

    This will mark Van’s first title defense since winning the championship from Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323.

    Taira also competed at UFC 323, earning this title shot by finishing former two-time champion Brandon Moreno.

    UFC 327 takes place from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on April 11. The main event sees Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg to determine the new UFC light heavyweight champion.

    UFC 328 takes place on May 9 from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The main event will feature Khamzat Chimaev defending the UFC middleweight championship against former champ Sean Strickland.

  • Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland Headlines UFC 328

    Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland Headlines UFC 328

    The UFC released a trailer to promote events that it will be holding throughout the second quarter of 2026 — and that includes the revealing of the main card for UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark, New Jersey.

    The main event of UFC 328 will see Khamzat Chimaev defend the UFC middleweight championship against Sean Strickland.

    This will be Chimaev’s first title defense since defeating Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 this past August to claim the championship.

    Strickland finished Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston last month to earn this title shot. Strickland is a former champion; he won the title by upsetting Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 but quickly lost it to DDP at UFC 297.

    UFC 328’s co-main event will be a heavyweight title eliminator, as Alexander Volkov takes on Waldo Cortes-Acosta. Volkov has won six of his last eight, including a split decision over Jailton Almeida at UFC 321. Cortes-Acosta has won three straight and eight of his last nine, including back-to-back first-round knockouts of Ante Delija and Shamil Gaziev, as well as his finish of Derrick Lewis at UFC 324.

    Also featured at UFC 328 will be a welterweight contenders bout between Sean Brady and Joaquin Buckley. Both men will be looking to rebound from losses, respectively, against Michael Morales and Kamaru Usman.

    Jan Blachowicz and Bogdan Guskov will do battle once again after their UFC 323 encounter ended in a majority draw.

    One year after returning in a hearty loss against Mason Jones, UFC veteran and BKFC star Jeremy Stephens will make another Octagon appearance, taking on fellow Octagon veteran King Green.

    A middleweight contest featuring Ateba Gautier and Ozzy Diaz is scheduled to be the featured prelim bout.

    UFC 328 takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday, May 9.