Strickland’s tactical Triumph: Verified UFC 328 main card results from Newark
American veteran Sean Strickland regained the middleweight title with a split decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev at the Prudential Center in Newark.
In a tactical battle at the Prudential Center on May 9, 2026, Sean Strickland secured a split decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev to reclaim the UFC middleweight championship. The contest, which served as the headliner for UFC 328, saw Strickland overcome an aggressive start from the previously undefeated Chimaev to sway two of the three judges’ scorecards. This result concludes Chimaev’s perfect professional run and marks Strickland’s return to the top of the 185-pound division following his previous title loss two years prior. The UFC 328 main card results also featured a successful title defense by flyweight champion Joshua Van and a dominant performance by heavyweight Alexander Volkov.
Technical Breakdown of the Championship Main Event
The encounter began with the high-intensity wrestling that has become the hallmark of Chimaev’s career. Within the opening minute, the challenger secured a takedown and maintained dominant back control for the duration of the first frame. However, the momentum shifted significantly in the second round as Strickland’s defensive striking and cardiovascular endurance became the deciding factors.
Strickland successfully parried takedown attempts in the middle rounds, forcing Chimaev into a prolonged striking battle in the center of the Octagon. By the third round, Chimaev showed visible signs of fatigue, allowing Strickland to utilize his signature jab and rhythmic pressure. Despite a late resurgence from Chimaev in the fourth round—where he secured a takedown and landed heavy ground strikes—Strickland regained his footing in the fifth to out-volume his opponent in the closing minutes.
| Judge | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Total |
| Judge A | 9-10 | 10-9 | 10-9 | 9-10 | 10-9 | 48-47 (Strickland) |
| Judge B | 9-10 | 10-9 | 9-10 | 10-9 | 10-9 | 48-47 (Chimaev) |
| Judge C | 9-10 | 10-9 | 10-9 | 9-10 | 10-9 | 48-47 (Strickland) |
Note: Individual round-by-round scoring reflects the varying interpretations of Chimaev’s control versus Strickland’s effective striking.
Sean Strickland Post Fight Interview and Media Insights
Following the announcement of the official result, the newly crowned champion addressed the crowd at the Prudential Center. During the Sean Strickland post fight interview, the veteran emphasized his disciplined approach to the five-round distance. “I knew he was going to come out like a house on fire,” Strickland stated in the Octagon. “The goal was to weather the storm, stay in his face, and wait for him to slow down. I’ve been in these deep waters before.”
The lead-up to the event was marked by significant tension, with UFC 328 media day quotes highlighting a lack of mutual respect between the athletes. While Chimaev remained dismissive of the personal rivalry, Strickland had suggested during fight week that the stylistic “skill gap” between high-level wrestlers and technical strikers often closes when a fight moves past the second round.
Khamzat Chimaev Next Fight and Career Trajectory
For Khamzat Chimaev, the split decision loss brings his professional record to 15-1. While the defeat removes his undefeated status, his performance in the first and fourth rounds demonstrated that he remains a formidable elite contender in the middleweight division. Analysts suggest that Khamzat Chimaev next fight will likely involve a high-ranked contender such as Dricus du Plessis or Robert Whittaker to determine the next immediate challenger for Strickland’s belt.
Chimaev’s grappling accuracy remains one of the highest in the division at 69.23%, but the bout against Strickland highlighted the necessity of energy management in five-round championship contests. The official Prudential Center UFC results confirm that while Chimaev’s wrestling was effective in spurts, he was out-struck in three of the five rounds by the champion.
Key Statistical Metrics from UFC 328
The main card results reflected a night of statistical outliers and significant milestones for several UFC veterans.
Significant Strikes: Strickland landed 123 of 312 attempts (39%), while Chimaev landed 98 of 240 (40%).
Takedowns: Chimaev successfully executed 9 of 13 takedown attempts, primarily in rounds one, four, and five.
Total Strikes: Including ground-and-pound, Strickland out-landed Chimaev 160 to 137.
By the Numbers: UFC 328 Milestone
Jim Miller extended his record for the most wins in UFC history, securing his 28th victory by submitting Jared Gordon in the first round of the preliminary card.
UFC 328 Main Card Results and Regional Impact
Beyond the headliner, the event solidified the standing of several emerging champions and established contenders. Joshua Van retained his flyweight title with a fifth-round TKO of Tatsuro Taira, a performance that earned him a portion of the UFC 328 bonuses and payouts.
Official Main Card Outcomes:
Sean Strickland def. Khamzat Chimaev via Split Decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
Joshua Van def. Tatsuro Taira via TKO (Punches) at 1:32 of Round 5
Alexander Volkov def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Sean Brady def. Joaquin Buckley via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-27)
King Green def. Jeremy Stephens via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 4:20 of Round 1
The event drew a capacity crowd to Newark, New Jersey, reinforcing the region’s status as a primary hub for East Coast mixed martial arts. The “Performance of the Night” bonuses were awarded to Joshua Van and Jim Miller, while the main event earned “Fight of the Night” honors for both Strickland and Chimaev.
Historical Significance and Sporting Legacy
Strickland’s victory places him in an elite group of fighters who have managed to win, lose, and regain a UFC divisional title. His success relies on a high-volume, defensive-oriented boxing style that often baffles opponents used to more traditional MMA striking exchanges. The resilience shown in surviving Chimaev’s early grappling onslaught will likely serve as a blueprint for other middleweights facing elite wrestlers.
The human element of the sport was on display as veteran Jeremy Stephens missed weight for his bout against King Green, eventually losing via first-round submission. This served as a stark contrast to the disciplined preparation seen in the main event, where both Strickland and Chimaev met the championship weight of 185 pounds exactly.
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Source and Data Limitations: This report is based on official fight data and live event coverage from UFC 328, held on May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark. Sources include Google Sports Data, UFC official results, and confirmed media reports from MMA Sucka and Fightmag. Scoring data reflects the official split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47). Statistics regarding significant strikes and takedowns are derived from post-fight metrics verified as of May 10, 2026. Bonus and payout information is based on the UFC’s standard performance award structure. Information regarding future match-ups for Khamzat Chimaev is based on current divisional rankings and editorial analysis of typical matchmaking patterns; no official next-fight contracts have been signed as of this publication.
