UFC 328: Strickland Back Against All Odds

by Javier Albite

Google Creative Commons Licesne

UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland was this last Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. One of the most anticipated events of the year, 328 gained significant publicity after the rising tensions leading up to the fight. Nearly 18,000 people sold out the arena, with many celebrities like New York Giants quarterback and running back Jaxson Dart and Cameron Skattebo, rapper A Boogie wit da Hoodie, and former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Alex Pereira among others. UFC 328 has shown to be another early contender for event of the year.

Background

Strickland was formerly champion in 2023 when he defeated legendary champion Israel Adesanya by unanimous decision in an upset no one saw coming. Back in February, when Strickland's six-month suspension was lifted, he defeated top middleweight contender Anthony Hernandez by knockout at a Fight Night in Houston. At the same time, current champion Khamzat Chimaev was preparing to move up to light heavyweight to face Jiří Procházka for the vacant championship in Miami. After Strickland's win, the plans changed and the UFC wanted Chimaev to defend his title. Strickland and Chimaev both have their history, leading to threats and comments that had the FBI involved, making sure the two fighters didn't come in contact with each other for the entire camp. This all culminated in the press conference, where they both verbally berated each other, making hateful comments. When they faced off, nine security guards were holding them back. Chimaev kicked Strickland, and tensions were at an all-time high, with fans making comparisons to Khabib and McGregor.

Main Card Results

• King Green (-440 favorite) def. Jeremy Stephens (+340 underdog) by Round 1 submission (catchweight bout 160lbs)

Lightweight veteran Green delivered one of his most entertaining performances, defeating Stephens with his hands down and chin out.

• Sean Brady (-198 favorite) def. Joaquin Buckley (+164 underdog) by unanimous decision (welterweight bout)

Brady defeated welterweight prospect Buckley with ease, completely dominating the fight and showing off his elite grappling.

• Alexander Volkov (-125 favorite) def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (+105 underdog) by unanimous decision (heavyweight bout)

Volkov robbed top heavyweight contender Cortes-Acosta in a boring match, backing off and light-jabbing his way to what should've been barely a split decision.

• Joshua Van (+130 underdog) def. Tatsuro Taira (-155 favorite) by Round 5 TKO (flyweight title fight)

Flyweight champion Van proved the world his title isn't a fluke, making light work of top contender Taira, outboxing him for 5 rounds, winning Fight Of The Night.

• Sean Strickland (+380 underdog) def. Khamzat Chimaev (-500 favorite) by split decision (middleweight title fight)

Against all odds, Strickland not only kept up with Chimaev's dominant wrestling but had him on his feet eating punches, leading to Chimaev's first loss and Strickland winning the belt back.

What's Next?

• King Green still isn't ranked, so there's a lot of different opponents he could face, but he could crack that top 15 with another good win against someone like Beneil Dariush.

• Sean Brady proved he's still dominant enough for the top 5 in welterweight, I could see a potential match between him and Jack Della Maddalena.

• Despite the win being kind of a fluke, Alexander Volkov is already number 2 ranked, so the only match I could see for him is the loser of Pereira vs. Gane.

• Joshua Van has already called for a rematch between him and Alexandre Pantoja now that he's not injured anymore. If not Pantoja I could see him fighting the winner of Kape vs. Horiguchi.

• With rumors of Chimaev moving up to light heavyweight, a rematch for Sean Strickland seems unlikely. Strickland has already called for a rematch with Nassourdine Imavov, which is the most likely option.