UFC 328’s main event is magnetic. Viewers will naturally gravitate to the drama and stakes of Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland. Nevertheless, take a look under the hood, and you’ll find a lot more to dig into.
The matchmaking for Saturday’s numbered event is quite compelling. There’s a potential heavyweight title eliminator between a former Bellator champion and the division’s fastest rising contender. Veteran lightweights with more than 100 combined fights collide, and they haven’t lost their mean streak. Then there’s Yaroslav Amosov, who defended his Ukrainian home from Russian invasion in between winning Bellator title fights.
Ahead of what will be a wild week in UFC history, inspect three significant fights you should watch at UFC 328.
UFC 328: Hatred between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland among five biggest storylines to follow in Newark
Brian Campbell
Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Alex Pereira, Ciryl Gane and Tom Aspinall should keep a close eye on this one. Volkov vs. Cortes-Acosta could very likely crown the next top contender. Aspinall is sidelined indefinitely with an eye injury; meanwhile, Pereira and Gane fight for the interim heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250. Depending on Aspinall’s recovery timeline, Volkov or Acosta could challenge for the interim title.
Volkov is in rare form. He’s 5-1 in his last six. The blemish is a heavily disputed split decision loss to Gane that even UFC CEO Dana White protested. Cortes-Acosta is one of the breakout contenders of the last two years. This fight will be his seventh in 14 months, almost all of which he’s won by knockout. His appetite for fighting up or down the division on a moment’s notice has earned him favor with hardcore fans and the promotion. Now, he can punch his ticket to a UFC title.
King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens
These two old dogs, who both turn 40 this year, have bark and bite. Age has not dulled their appetite for action. Green and Stephans have 105 combined professional mixed martial arts fights, not including Stephens’ bare-knuckle detours. Green has looked impressive lately, turning back prospects Lance Gibson Jr. and Daniel Zellhuber. Stephens, who made a surprise UFC return last year, hasn’t won in MMA since 2022; however, he flourished in BKFC. Green’s style is marvelous to watch: low hands and a Philly shell. It should pair wonderfully with Stephens’ earth-shattering power. It’s crucial to catch a fight like this while it’s still available.
Joel Alvarez vs. Yarsoslav Amosov
A decade later, Bellator champions are still chasing the shadow of Eddie Alvarez. Not since July 2016 has a Bellator champion won the UFC title. Michael Chandler got close, Patricio Pitbull joined the promotion too late and Patchy Mix imploded. Aside from Volkov, Amosov is their next great hope. The former Bellator welterweight champion cruised through Neil Magny and will be within striking distance of the ranking if he beats his next opponent.
Alvarez might be the best welterweight without a number next to his name. He’s 8-1 in the UFC with seven promotions. His only loss is to Arman Tsarukyan, the consensus best lightweight not named Ilia Topuria. He’ll need everything to stop Amosov, who famously rescued the Bellator title from his mother’s home while defending war-torn Ukraine from Russia.
Honorable mentions: Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley, Ateba Gautier vs. Ozzy Diaz
