Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 5:00PM
UFC returns to Newark! UFC 328: CHIMAEV vs. STRICKLAND will mark the twelfth UFC event at the famed arena dating back to 2007. UFC 302 headlined by Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier in 2024 still holds the venue’s live event gate record.
Main Event: World Middleweight Championship
The middleweight title takes center stage at UFC 328 when champion Khamzat Chimaev battles Sean Strickland. It’s Chimaev’s first defense since dethroning Dricus du Plessis, and Strickland’s return to the venue where he last delivered a statement performance.
Co-Main Event: Flyweight Championship
Undefeated flyweight champion Joshua Van risks his belt for the first time in a high‑stakes showdown with Tatsuro Taira.
Heavyweight Bout
Heavyweight standout Alexander Volkov faces the relentless Waldo Cortes‑Acosta, with both fighters aiming to make a statement in the title picture.
Chimaev (15-0, fighting out of The United Arab Emirates by way of Chechnya, Russia) plans to kick off his 2026 campaign with a vintage performance. An undefeated competitor, he holds impressive wins against former UFC champions Dricus du Plessis, Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman. Chimaev looks to stop Strickland to begin a dominant title reign.
Strickland (30-7, fighting out of Corona, Calif.) has his sight set on regaining the UFC middleweight championship. Known for his relentless pressure, he has delivered memorable victories over Anthony Hernandez, Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov. Strickland intends to become a two-time titleholder by handing Chimaev his first career loss.
