UFC 328 Watch Guide and Full Card Predictions: Everything You Need for Chimaev vs. Strickland Night

UFC 328 is here, and it is exactly the kind of night worth planning around. Clear the calendar, figure out what you are ordering, and get your bets in before the early prelims kick off at 5 PM ET on Paramount+. Two championship belts, a heavyweight collision that could shake up the title picture, and one of the most compelling main events the UFC has put together in years. Here is everything you need to eat, watch, and bet smart on Saturday.

Set the Scene: When to Tune In

The early prelims get going at 5 PM ET on Paramount+, but you can ease into those if you want. The prelims at 7 PM ET are where things start getting interesting. The main card at 9 PM ET is non-negotiable — get settled, food in hand, and be ready for a long night. Two title fights mean this card is running until midnight at minimum.

The Main Event: Chimaev vs. Strickland (Middleweight Title)

Khamzat Chimaev walks in at 15-0, the reigning UFC middleweight champion after dominating Dricus du Plessis via unanimous decision at UFC 319 last August. He has never lost. Not once. Six finishes by knockout, six by submission, and three decisions — he does not have a weak spot on paper. Chimaev is a -575 favorite at DraftKings.

Sean Strickland is 30-7 and comes in as a significant underdog, sitting around +425. That does not mean he is a pushover. Strickland is durable, unpredictable, volume-heavy, and a nightmare to finish. He is the former 185-pound champion, and his unfiltered personality and trash-talk have turned him into must-watch television. The crowd in Newark will not be quiet for a second.

The pick is Chimaev, and the submission prop at near-even money is worth a look over the straight moneyline. Strickland defends takedowns reasonably well, but Chimaev’s wrestling pressure is suffocating and he has finished opponents of every style. Watch for the grappling exchanges in rounds one and two — that is where this fight gets decided.

Pick: Khamzat Chimaev by submission or decision

Co-Main Event: Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira (Flyweight Title)

This might be the best fight on the card for pure entertainment value. Joshua Van (16-2) became champion last December in shocking fashion, finishing Alexandre Pantoja in 26 seconds. He leads all UFC fighters with 8.84 significant strikes per minute and walks forward like he wants to fight in a phone booth. Tatsuro Taira (18-1) is an elite grappler from Japan who came off a second-round finish of former champion Brandon Moreno and dominates 47.7 percent of his fight time in dominant ground positions.

Taira opened as a slight favorite at -185 despite Van holding the belt — the oddsmakers respect his grappling edge. This is a legitimately close fight between two completely different styles. It also happens to be the first UFC title fight between two male fighters of Asian descent, which adds a layer of significance to an already compelling matchup.

Pick: Tatsuro Taira by decision

Main Card Picks: The Full Rundown

Here is how the rest of the main card shapes up, with a quick read on each fight and where the value sits.

Alexander Volkov (-185) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (+160) — Heavyweight: Volkov is 39-11 and brings elite striking and significant reach at heavyweight. Cortes-Acosta is 17-2 with serious knockout power, but Volkov’s technical advantage and experience should carry the day. Expect Volkov to dictate range with his jab and keep the fight standing on his terms. Pick: Volkov by decision.

Sean Brady (-300) vs. Joaquin Buckley (+250) — Welterweight: Brady is 18-2 and one of the most disciplined wrestlers in the division. Buckley is 21-7 with some of the most highlight-reel knockouts in recent UFC history — the man can end a fight in a single punch. Brady is a heavy favorite, but Buckley is the most entertaining live-dog bet on the main card. Pick: Brady by decision, but Buckley is worth a small flier if you want fireworks.

King Green (-200) vs. Jeremy Stephens (+170) — Lightweight: King Green is 34-17-1 and a seasoned veteran of the octagon. Stephens is 29-22 and has been competing at the highest levels of the sport for nearly two decades — he still carries power and heart. Green should be the more composed and active fighter here. Pick: King Green by decision.

Prelims Picks (7 PM ET)

Four fights on the prelims, and a couple of them are worth your attention before the main card gets rolling.

Ateba Gautier (-1000) vs. Ozzy Diaz (+675) — Middleweight: Gautier is 10-1 and a massive betting favorite. Skip this one for wagering purposes and use it as an opportunity to get your food order in.

Joel Alvarez (-400) vs. Yaroslav Amosov (+330) — Welterweight: Alvarez is 23-3 and dominant when he gets the fight where he wants it. Amosov is 29-1 with legitimate credentials, but the odds reflect the gap here. Pick: Alvarez.

Grant Dawson (-120) vs. Mateusz Rebecki (+100) — Lightweight: This is the best betting value on the prelims. Nearly a pick-em fight, Dawson is 23-3-1 and the slight favorite. Rebecki is 20-4 and dangerous on the feet. Keep an eye on the live UFC odds before this one — line movement on a near-even fight matters. Pick: Dawson.

Jim Miller (-250) vs. Jared Gordon (+210) — Lightweight: Miller is 38-19, a UFC record for most appearances in the octagon. At 41 years old, he keeps going and keeps winning. Gordon is 21-8 and competitive, but Miller’s submission game is still dangerous at any age. Pick: Miller.

Early Prelims Picks (5 PM ET)

The early prelims are where you get your bets locked in and your food ordered. A couple of prospects worth watching are on this portion of the card.

Roman Kopylov (-225) vs. Marco Tulio (+190) — Middleweight: Kopylov is 14-5 and the established veteran. Tulio is 14-2. Kopylov takes it. Pick: Kopylov.

Pat Sabatini (-270) vs. William Gomis (+230) — Featherweight: Sabatini is 21-5 and one of the better submission artists in featherweight. He should control this comfortably. Pick: Sabatini.

Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Djorden Santos — Middleweight: Susurkaev is 11-0 and a prospect who has looked sharp in his UFC run. Pick: Susurkaev.

Clayton Carpenter vs. Jose Ochoa — Flyweight: Ochoa opened as the -185 favorite at 8-2. Pick: Ochoa.

Best Bets to Lock In Before Fight Night

If you are trimming down to the most confident plays, the short list is Chimaev to win, Taira at -185 in the co-main, and Dawson near even money as the prelim sleeper. If you have not already grabbed a first-bet offer heading into the weekend, a FanDuel promo code or a DraftKings Promo Code can add free bets to your bankroll before the early prelims even kick off. Enjoy the card.