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The wait is almost over. After months of speculation, heated verbal exchanges that almost boiled over into physical chaos, and one of the most intriguing stylistic clashes in recent memory, UFC 328 is finally upon us. On Saturday, May 9, 2026, the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, transforms from a sports arena into a battleground. In the red corner, we have the undefeated, relentless force of nature known as Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev. In the blue corner, the outspoken, defensive master, and former champion Sean “Tarzan” Strickland.
This isn’t just a fight; it is a collision of two MMA realities. Do you side with the wrestling juggernaut who has steamrolled everyone placed in front of him, or the technical boxer who thrives on chaos and volume?
If you are looking to catch every jab, takedown, and dramatic stare-down, you have come to the right place. We are diving deep into the archives to bring you the most comprehensive viewing guide for UFC 328. We will cover the official broadcasters, the specific start times for every time zone, the backstories you need to know, and a technical breakdown of why this fight is impossible to look away from.
Let’s get to work.
Part I: The Absolute Essentials – How to Watch UFC 328
Before we break down the blood and guts, let’s get the logistics out of the way. There is nothing worse than missing the walkouts because you were scrambling for a remote. Here is exactly how to ensure you have a perfect viewing experience for Chimaev vs. Strickland.
The #1 Destination: UFC.com
Your first and most authoritative stop for all things related to the event should always be www.ufc.com. The promotion makes sure that the official hub contains the countdown clock, weigh-in results, and embedded video series leading up to the walkouts .
Leading into May 9th, the UFC has been releasing their “UFC 328 Embedded” series, which gives you a vlog-style look behind the curtain. As of this week, Episode 3 dropped, showing Khamzat displaying his world-class wrestling prowess and Tatsuro Taira packing his bags for the trip to New Jersey . It is essential viewing for the hardcore fan.
The Global Broadcast Plan: The Era of Paramount+
Gone are the days of flipping through a dozen different cable channels. As of 2026, the broadcast landscape for the UFC has solidified. According to official announcements and international sports outlets like TyC Sports, the home of UFC 328 is Paramount+ .
For years, fans juggled ESPN+ pay-per-views in the US and various network deals internationally. However, for this card, Paramount+ holds the keys to the kingdom.
- In the United States: The event is being streamed live on Paramount+. Unlike the old model where you had to buy a specific PPV on top of a subscription, the standard Paramount+ subscription appears to be covering the broadcast for this event, specifically noting that there are “no need for extra payments per event” for the 2026 season .
- In the United Kingdom: Fans tuning in across the pond will find the action on Paramount+ as well, with coverage kicking off at the slightly less friendly hour of 01:00 AM UK time on Sunday, May 10th .
Start Times: When does the Violence begin?
Timing is everything. You do not want to tune in too early or miss the main event because you assumed it started at 8 PM sharp. Because the card is stacked, we have three distinct windows of fight time (All times Eastern Time – ET):
1. The Early Prelims (Kickoff)
- Time: 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT
- Vibe: The gym is filling up. This is where the young lions and local heroes try to make a name for themselves. This is often where the “Fight of the Night” contenders hide .
2. The Prelims (The Warm-Up)
- Time: 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT
- Vibe: The stakes raise. You will likely see ranked contenders or fan favorites. For the Latin American audience, TyC Sports notes that the preliminary card (often referred to as the “Preliminar”) kicks off at 7:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM in Argentina .
3. The Main Card (The Main Event)
- Time: 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT (Approximately)
- Vibe: High anxiety. This is what you paid for. While the “official” start time is listed as 9 or 10 PM depending on the source, expect the walkouts for Chimaev vs. Strickland to begin around 11:15 PM ET, depending on the length of the undercard fights .
Global Time Zone Cheat Sheet (Main Card Start)
- United States (East Coast): Saturday, 9:00 PM (EST)
- United States (West Coast): Saturday, 6:00 PM (PST)
- Argentina / Brazil: Saturday, 10:00 PM (Brasilia/ARG)
- United Kingdom: Sunday, 2:00 AM (BST)
- Central Europe: Sunday, 3:00 AM (CET)
Part II: The Main Event Deep Dive – Chimaev vs. Strickland
Now that you know how to watch, let’s discuss what you are watching. This is not just a fight; it is a Rubik’s cube of high-level martial arts.
Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev (15-0)
The Narrative: The Unstoppable Force.
Khamzat Chimaev entered the UFC like a hurricane. He fought twice in ten days, didn’t bleed, and swallowed men whole. However, injuries and health issues slowed his ascent. That was until he captured the middleweight title with a dominant five-round wrestling masterclass against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 . The question is: Is he healthy? Is the cardio fixed?
The Style: Chimaev is a pressure wrestler. He wants to crush you against the fence, use his signature “drag” to get to your hips, and flatten you out. While his striking is improving, former foe Dricus Du Plessis notes that Chimaev’s striking is “kind of predictable” and that he is not “scary hard” on the feet . His path to victory is the mat.
Sean “Tarzan” Strickland (30-7)
The Narrative: The Unpredictable Veteran.
Sean Strickland says what he wants, fights how he wants, and does not care about your opinion. He is a volume puncher with a philly shell defense that has given strikers like Israel Adesanya nightmares. However, he has a glaring weakness: wrestling. Strickland was taken down multiple times by Du Plessis, which ultimately cost him the title in their rematch .
The Style: Strickland fights long. He walks forward with a high guard or a low hands rhythm, constantly jabbing the body and head. He does not throw wild hooks; he throws straight shots down the pipe. His cardio is legendary.
The X-Factor: The First Round
According to the experts at Sherdog and Yahoo Sports, this fight will be decided in the opening five minutes.
Dricus Du Plessis, who has shared the octagon with both men, laid out the blueprint perfectly: “I know Khamzat’s going to get him down… But to keep him there, that’s going to be the big question. Because Strickland’s ability to get up… He is a strong guy, a lot stronger than Khamzat, physically.”
If Chimaev shoots immediately, secures the takedown, and holds Strickland down for three or four minutes, the crowd will deflate. Strickland’s spirit will be tested. But, if Strickland defends the first two shots, gets back to his feet, and starts jabbing Chimaev’s face off, we have a fight. Striking coach Sean Madden added that if Strickland can push Chimaev back towards the fence and land knees in the clinch, Chimaev might be forced into a brawl he does not want .
The Prediction: Most analysts are leaning toward Chimaev by Decision. The logic is that while he may not finish Strickland (who is notoriously durable), his relentless wrestling pace will be too much over 25 minutes .
Part III: The Co-Main Event – A Flyweight Firefight
Let’s not sleep on the undercard. UFC 328 is deep.
Joshua Van (c) vs. Tatsuro Taira
This is a fascinating clash for the Flyweight Championship. Joshua Van is the new king, known for his razor-sharp boxing and impeccable timing. He hits hard for the division. Tatsuro Taira, however, is the undefeated Japanese prodigy. Taira is a submission ace, but he has shown massive improvement in his stand-up.
This is a classic “Striker vs. Grappler” matchup at the highest technical level. If Taira gets Van down, the belt might be heading to Japan. If Van stuffs those shots, he has the power to put Taira away on the feet .
Other Names to Watch
- Alexander Volkov: The towering heavyweight is always looking to break into the title picture. He is a dangerous out for anyone in the division.
- Sean Brady: A welterweight grinder looking to prove he belongs in the top 5 conversation.
- King Green: “King” is always involved in chaotic, fun fights. Expect violence the moment he steps into the cage .
Part IV: The Spectacle – The Theater of the Weigh-Ins
The fight doesn’t start on Saturday. It starts on Thursday.
The Live Weigh-In Show
Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 7th. The UFC scheduled the “Morning Weigh-in Show” for 8:50 AM ET / 5:50 AM PT . Given the history between Chimaev and Strickland, the weigh-ins have the potential to be a disaster.
Reports from MARCA detailed a recent promotional face-off where tensions spilled over so severely that security (and even Dana White) had to step in to separate them before the final staredown . Expect face-offs that look like two lions sizing each other up before a kill. If you want the full narrative context of the fight, watching the weigh-in replay on UFC.com is mandatory.
Part V: Why You Cannot Miss This (The Final Word)
As we sit here on May 9, 2026, the middleweight division is at a crossroads.
For Khamzat Chimaev, this is his first title defense. He has the chance to silence the critics who say he cannot stay healthy or fight deep into rounds. A win here sets up massive money fights, perhaps a move to Light Heavyweight or a super fight.
For Sean Strickland, this is the ultimate “I told you so” moment. He believes he is the spiritual successor to the old guard. A win here, on the road, against an unbeaten monster, would be one of the greatest redemption arcs in UFC history.
Whether you are watching from the packed stands of the Prudential Center or your living room via Paramount+, do not blink. The first collision is going to be seismic.
How to Follow Live:
- Official Hub: www.ufc.com
- Stream: Paramount+ (Check local listings)
- Time: Main Card at 9:00 PM ET. Prelims at 7:00 PM ET. Early Prelims at 5:00 PM ET.
Enjoy the fights, and may the best man win.