Jono Maryono
Sean Strickland has reclaimed the UFC’s 185-pound championship, defeating Khamzat Chimaev via split decision in a highly anticipated middleweight title clash at UFC 328. The bout, held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, saw the judges award Strickland the victory with scores of 48-47, 47-48, and 48-47, marking the second time in his career the American fighter has held the middleweight gold. The event, which drew a capacity crowd of 17,783 spectators, concluded without the pre-fight animosity and threats of violence that had defined the build-up to this main event.
Strickland, who previously held the middleweight belt from September 2023 before losing it in his first defense, now becomes the second former champion to regain the title in the division’s history. The fight itself, while competitive, rarely reached the fever pitch of the exchanges outside the Octagon. Both fighters appeared cautious at times, with neither truly dominating the other, leading to a tense and closely contested five rounds. As the final bell sounded, Strickland mimed placing the championship belt around his waist, a gesture that was soon made official when Chimaev, in a display of sportsmanship that contrasted sharply with their pre-fight rhetoric, personally handed the title to his opponent.
The heightened tensions leading up to UFC 328 necessitated an increased security presence across various venues, including hotels, public appearances, and around the Octagon itself. This measure was a direct response to what was widely described as one of the most vitriolic pre-fight trash-talking campaigns in recent UFC history. Sean Strickland, in particular, had employed deeply personal and offensive language, including threats of physical violence and accusations that Chimaev, due to his ties with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, was a "terrorist." Chimaev, who represents the United Arab Emirates and is of Chechen descent, responded in kind, with his own pronouncements of intent to "take off" Strickland’s head. The stark contrast between these pre-fight pronouncements and the respectful glove tap to begin the bout underscored the professionalism that ultimately prevailed within the cage.
Khamzat Chimaev, suffering his first professional defeat in 16 bouts, entered the contest with an undefeated record and a formidable reputation. The loss marks a significant setback for the rising star, who had been widely tipped for a dominant reign in the middleweight division. Conversely, Strickland, at 35 years old, demonstrated remarkable resilience and tactical acumen, proving that his previous championship run was no fluke. His ability to adapt and secure a victory against a fighter as dangerous as Chimaev highlights his enduring skill set and fighting spirit.
Following the bout, Strickland, a native of the United States, issued an apology to fans of all ethnicities, acknowledging that he had "went too hard" in utilizing stereotypes and inflammatory language to promote the fight. This post-fight reflection signals a potential shift in how fighters approach promotional narratives, with a greater emphasis perhaps being placed on the ethical boundaries of trash talk.
The UFC 328 event was strategically positioned as a significant marker on the promotion’s calendar, serving as the penultimate major card before a highly publicized event scheduled for June 14th at the White House, hosted by President Donald Trump. This unique event is slated to coincide with President Trump’s 80th birthday and the nation’s 250th anniversary, underscoring its symbolic importance. While President Trump is a frequent attendee of major UFC events, he was notably absent from the Newark card.
Van Retains Flyweight Title in Dominant Co-Main Event Performance
In the co-main event, Joshua Van delivered a commanding performance to retain his 125-pound flyweight championship, overpowering Tatsuro Taira in a bout that made history as the first UFC title fight contested between two Asian fighters. Van secured a decisive victory via stoppage at 1:32 of the fifth round, much to the delight of the roaring crowd. This marked Van’s first successful title defense since capturing the belt from Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323.
Van, representing Myanmar, showcased superior boxing skills throughout the fight. He seized control in the second round with a powerful right hand that sent Taira to the canvas. Although unable to secure an immediate finish, Van continued to relentlessly target Taira’s face and body with a barrage of strikes over the subsequent rounds, leaving the Japanese challenger visibly bloodied. The fight was also notable for being the first UFC title bout to feature two competitors born in the 21st century, signaling a new generation of talent ascending to the sport’s highest echelons.
The 24-year-old Van, who has now won seven consecutive fights and 10 of his last 11 since joining the UFC, has firmly established himself as a dominant force in the flyweight division. His victory at UFC 328, a significant stop for the promotion in Newark, further cemented his championship credentials. Taira, conversely, failed in his bid to become the first Japanese fighter to capture a UFC championship, a milestone that remains elusive for fighters from Japan in the promotion.
Other notable results on the main card included Sean Brady’s unanimous decision victory over Joaquin Buckley, King Green’s submission win against Jeremy Stephens, and Alexander Volkov’s unanimous decision triumph over Waldo Cortes-Acosta. These bouts contributed to a stacked UFC 328 lineup, offering a diverse range of performances and outcomes.
Jim Miller Secures Victory in Emotional Return Following Son’s Cancer Battle
On the undercard, veteran fighter Jim Miller, a New Jersey native, achieved a significant submission victory in his lightweight bout against Jared Gordon. The win, secured via rear-naked choke at 3:29 of the first round, was Miller’s first fight since his teenage son successfully battled a rare form of childhood cancer. The emotional victory was met with cheers from his family, who were present in the Prudential Center.
Miller’s win further solidified his status as one of the most durable and accomplished fighters in UFC history. With this victory, he extended his UFC records for most fights (47) and most wins (28) in the promotion. Furthermore, his 20th career finish places him second all-time in UFC history for stoppage victories, a testament to his consistent ability to end fights decisively.
The journey back to the Octagon for Miller was particularly poignant. His 14-year-old son, Wyatt, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer more commonly seen in children. Wyatt underwent extensive treatment, including two courses of chemotherapy and five weeks of proton radiation therapy at Rutgers University Cancer Institute, ultimately achieving a clean bill of health.
"My son went through some really difficult times the last couple of months," Miller stated in an emotional post-fight interview inside the Octagon. "He’s all good today. He’s cancer-free. One of the things I told him when he first got diagnosed was, Millers have been called a lot of names over the years, but fragile’s never been one of them. He fought his way through it."
Wyatt’s health battle kept Jim Miller sidelined for 13 months, a considerable period for a fighter accustomed to competing multiple times a year. His last bout prior to UFC 328 was a loss to Chase Hooper at UFC 314 in April 2025. Miller’s return to competition, marked by a decisive victory and a powerful personal narrative, resonated deeply with fans and the broader MMA community, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
The overall narrative of UFC 328 presented a compelling mix of championship drama, historical milestones, and deeply personal triumphs. While the main event between Strickland and Chimaev was ultimately decided by the judges, it served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of professional fighting and the often-complex relationship between pre-fight personas and in-cage realities. The performances of Joshua Van and Jim Miller, each in their own right, added layers of significance to the event, underscoring the diverse stories that continue to unfold within the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
