UFC 328 heads to the Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday night with one of the most anticipated middleweight title fights of the year as undefeated champion Khamzat Chimaev defends his belt against former champ Sean Strickland. The card also features a flyweight title fight between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira, plus several high-level contender matchups across the main card. 

Chimaev enters the matchup as a sizable betting favorite after dominant wins over elite competition, while Strickland brings his trademark pressure, cardio, and durability into another championship opportunity. Current betting markets have Chimaev listed between -500 and -600, depending on the sportsbook, with Strickland returning as a significant underdog. 

UFC 328 Predictions & Picks: Saturday, May 9th

The UFC 328 card offers value across several fights, especially in prop markets and total rounds. Chimaev’s wrestling and submission threat remain elite, but Strickland’s defensive style makes a decision outcome very live if he survives the early rounds.

Here are the top UFC 328 predictions and betting picks for Saturday night.

 

 

 

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland — Pick: Chimaev by Decision

Chimaev is going to come out red hot to start, as he has done in all of his fights.  He dominated Round 1 against all of his recent opponents, including Kamuru Usman, Dricus Du Plessis, and even subbed Robert Whittaker in Round 1, but he only found one finish in those matchups.  If Strickland survives the first 7.5 minutes of the fight, we will see Chimaev slow down and try to control position instead of going for submissions.  I wouldn’t fault anyone for taking Chimaev by submission as a bet, but I would much rather take a chance at a +300 that has happened in 2 of his last 3 outings.

  • Best Bet: Chimaev by Decision +300

Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira — Pick: Taira Submission

This co-main event could easily steal the show. Taira is one of the best wrestlers in the flyweight division, and his last KO win over Brandon Moreno proved he can dominate a fight if his opponent can’t match his physical strength.  Van is a notoriously slow starter but turns up his volume late, so if he does survive the early onslaught, I do not want to be holding a Taira ticket.  I’m betting Taira gets the submission early before the fight really gets going.

  • Best Bet: Tatsuro Taira Submission +200

Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley — Pick: Buckley by KO

Sean Brady is a great wrestler and has landed multiple takedowns in all of his wins, but he struggles if he can’t get the fight down.  Buckley is one of the strongest fighters in the division and should be able to fend off enough of the takedowns to make Brady work.  On the feet, Brady has okay durability, but he gets dejected if his wrestling isn’t working, and we have seen him quit on himself.  I expect Buckley to get the R2/3 KO.  Buckley has also been fighting some of the best wrestlers in the division, taking on Colby Covington and Kumaru Usman in back-to-back fights, so he has been working on his wrestling for the last 18 months. I expect to see the best version of Buckley that we have ever seen.

  • Best Bet: Buckley by KO +250

How To Bet On My UFC Picks At DraftKings

Betting on UFC is straightforward once you understand the most common wager types:

  • Moneyline Bets: Pick the fighter to win outright. 
  • Method of Victory: Bet on knockout, submission, or decision. 
  • Round Betting: Predict the exact round the fight ends. 
  • Over/Under Rounds: Bet on how long the fight lasts. 
  • Parlays: Combine multiple UFC picks into one ticket for larger payouts. 

 

 

 

How to Watch UFC 328 on ESPN, Chimaev vs. Strickland Saturday Night

UFC 328 takes place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. 

UFC 328 Start Times

  • Early Prelims: 5:00 PM ET 
  • Prelims: 7:00 PM ET 
  • Main Card: 9:00 PM ET 

Streaming Information

  • Main Card: Paramount+ 
  • Prelims: Paramount+ 

Fans can stream the entire event live through ESPN+ on mobile devices, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and desktop platforms.

UFC 328 Odds & Score $100 Promo At DraftKings

DraftKings Sportsbooks are offering UFC 328 betting promos for new users ahead of Chimaev vs. Strickland. New customers can get $100 in bonus bets upon the completion of their first $5 wager.

Current main event odds list Chimaev as a heavy favorite around -575, while Strickland is available near +425.