UFC 328 Main Card Picks & Predictions (2026)
The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, is hosting UFC 328, the first event there since UFC 316 in 2025. Two champions are defending their belts for the first time. The main event is a middleweight title fight between the champion Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland, who previously held the belt. The co-main event features flyweight champion Joshua Van, who is defending his strap against Tatsuro Taira. The early prelims begin at 5:00 p.m. ET, and the main card starts at 9:00 p.m. ET on Paramount+. Dive into our top UFC 328 picks below.
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UFC 328 Picks: Main Card Predictions (2026)
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Sean Brady (-170) vs. Joaquin Buckley (+142)
Sean Brady is coming off a knockout loss to Michael Morales at UFC 322 in November 2025. Joaquin Buckley lost a five-round unanimous decision to Kamaru Usman in his last fight in June 2025. Both fighters have had a bit of a layoff following losses. This matchup mirrors both of their previous opponents.
Brady is a grappler who excels at finishing opponents with his jiu-jitsu. He has four submission victories in the UFC, including victories over Leon Edwards in 2025 and Kelvin Gastelum in 2023. Buckley is a strong, athletic and explosive striker. He struggled against Usman's wrestling, but was at a physical disadvantage in that matchup. Buckley should be stronger and more physical against Brady.
Brady struggled against an explosive striker in his last fight against Morales. He was knocked out in the first round, and Buckley is a similar fighter. Buckley has quick hands, and Brady's striking is not polished enough to stand with Buckley for long periods of time. He has to defend takedowns, which I think he can do against Brady. Buckley can end this fight with power punches to Brady when standing.
Bet: Joaquin Buckley to Win by Knockout (+275)
Joshua Van (+136) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-162)
This fight was rescheduled from UFC 327 because of an injury to Joshua Van, who has now had about a month to recover before defending his title against Tatsuro Taira. That is a mature decision by Van and his camp, rather than fighting through a minor, undisclosed injury. Now, the first Asian-born male UFC champion is fighting Taira, a Japanese fighter, for the Flyweight Title.
Van is a skilled striker with relentless volume. The amount of punches and kicks he throws overwhelms his opponents. He lands 8.84 significant strikes and absorbs 6.39 significant strikes per minute. Taira lands 2.94 significant strikes and absorbs 2.44 significant strikes per minute. Van has a clear striking advantage at all ranges in this fight, but he must remain on his feet.
Taira has slick jiu-jitsu skills and does phenomenal work when he takes his opponent's back. He averages 3.12 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Van defends 81% of takedowns and has shown tremendous improvements in takedown defense in a short time. His first fight in the UFC was in 2023 when he was 21 years old. Now, he is 24 years old and the second-youngest UFC champion ever. His talent and skill development in such a short time is remarkable.
Taira has to get this fight to the mat. I expect Van to overwhelm him when striking and defend takedowns well. If he does get taken down, he has shown the ability to get back to his feet against other good grapplers. Van is untested in the championship rounds, but he has shown no signs of poor cardio. Van at plus-money odds is a solid play.
Bet: Joshua Van Moneyline (+136)