UFC 328 fight grades: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Str...
Key takeaways
- Up to that point, UFC 328 was an extremely average night of fights.
- Although there weren't many must-see moments, the card didn't have any fights that were outright unwatchable.
- After every UFC numbered event, ESPN assesses the quality of each fight and the overall card, giving letter grades based on skill displayed, competitiveness and what was at stake.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
After a contentious buildup to the fight, Khamzat Chimaev, left, and Sean Strickland didn't produce the dramatic battle fans may have expected. Chris Unger/Zuffa LLCAndreas Hale May 11, 2026, 08:00 AM ETClose Andreas Hale is a combat sports reporter at ESPN. Andreas covers MMA, boxing and pro wrestling. In Andreas' free time, he plays video games, obsesses over music and is a White Sox and 49ers fan. He is also a host for Sirius XM's Fight Nation. Before joining ESPN, Andreas was a senior writer at DAZN and Sporting News. He started his career as a music journalist for outlets including HipHopDX, The Grammys and Jay-Z's Life+Times. He is also an NAACP Image Award-nominated filmmaker as a producer for the animated short film "Bridges" in 2024.Follow on XMultiple AuthorsEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe bad blood didn't quite boil over in the main event of UFC 328, where Sean Strickland pulled off yet another massive upset in a title fight. Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev by split decision to become a two-time middleweight champion after a vitriolic build to a fight that underwhelmed.
Up to that point, UFC 328 was an extremely average night of fights. Outside of the thrilling men's flyweight championship fight between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira, the UFC's annual trek to Newark, New Jersey, was neither terrible nor great.
Although there weren't many must-see moments, the card didn't have any fights that were outright unwatchable.