UFC 328 is here, and if you are looking for a big fight night to get into sports betting, this is the one. The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey plays host on Saturday, May 9, with an undefeated middleweight champion making his first title defense and a flyweight belt on the line in the co-main event. Paramount+ carries all the action starting at 5:00 PM ET, with the main card kicking off at 9:00 PM ET. Here is everything you need to know, including a pick for every fight on the card. You can track the latest movement on live UFC odds as fight week wraps up.
This is the headline attraction, and it delivers a fascinating contrast in styles. Khamzat Chimaev (15-0) is the reigning UFC middleweight champion, a fighter from Chechnya who has never lost a professional bout. He won the title at UFC 319 last August with a dominant unanimous decision over Dricus du Plessis. Chimaev is a pressure wrestler with elite grappling and genuine knockout power, and he comes in as a heavy favorite at around -550 on DraftKings.
Sean Strickland (30-7) earned this shot by stopping Anthony Hernandez by TKO in a UFC Fight Night main event in Houston earlier this year. The 35-year-old from Corona, California has been here before — he shocked the MMA world by defeating Israel Adesanya to win the title in 2023, only to lose it to du Plessis at UFC 297. His relentless forward pressure and durable chin make him a live underdog at +410, but oddsmakers give him only about an 18 percent implied chance of winning.
Pick: Khamzat Chimaev (-550). The wrestling advantage is too significant to ignore, and Chimaev has looked unstoppable every time he has stepped into the octagon. Strickland is tough and will likely take this deep, but the champion controls this fight from start to finish.
The flyweight title is also on the line, and this one comes with an interesting wrinkle — the champion is the underdog. Joshua Van (16-2) won the flyweight title in December 2025 when Alexandre Pantoja suffered an arm injury early in their fight. That circumstance has bookmakers skeptical, and they have installed Tatsuro Taira as the -175 favorite, with Van at +145.
Taira is a technically precise Japanese fighter who has looked impressive in his UFC run. Van, originally from Myanmar, has not gotten much credit as a legitimate champion yet. This is his chance to change that. Pick: Tatsuro Taira (-175). The sharper technical fighter gets the nod, and the value at -175 is reasonable for what projects as a high-level striking matchup.
The rest of the main card rounds out with three compelling bouts across heavyweight, welterweight, and lightweight.
Alexander Volkov (-175) takes on Waldo Cortes-Acosta (+145) in a heavyweight fight with real implications in the division. Volkov is experienced and methodical, using his reach and jab effectively at range. Cortes-Acosta is a hard puncher who can turn the lights out but can be controlled by a disciplined pressure fighter. Pick: Volkov (-175) to outbox his way to a decision.
Sean Brady (-180) meets Joaquin Buckley (+150) in a welterweight contest. Brady is a wrestling-heavy fighter who grinds opponents down, while Buckley is known for dangerous striking and highlight-reel finishes. Brady’s takedown game should neutralize the threat. Pick: Sean Brady (-180) to grind out a decision win.
King Green (-355) gets a familiar face in Jeremy Stephens (+280) at lightweight. Stephens is a veteran who has been out of the upper echelon of competition for several years. Green is younger, faster, and a significant favorite for good reason. Pick: King Green (-355) — even at chalk odds, this fight is not close on paper.
The prelim card at 7:00 PM ET offers four solid bouts worth your attention.
Ateba Gautier (-1350) versus Ozzy Diaz (+800) is the most lopsided fight on the card. Gautier is a massive favorite, and while the odds make this unplayable for a moneyline bet, there is no argument against taking him in parlays. Pick: Gautier.
Joel Alvarez (+154) faces Yaroslav Amosov (-185) in a welterweight bout where the line has moved significantly. Amosov opened as a bigger underdog but the money has shifted in his direction. The Ukrainian welterweight is skilled and consistent. Pick: Yaroslav Amosov (-185).
Grant Dawson (-175) versus Mateusz Rebecki (+145) is a lightweight pairing where Dawson’s control-based wrestling style should keep him in the driver’s seat. Pick: Grant Dawson (-175).
Jim Miller (+260) takes on Jared Gordon (-325). Miller is a UFC legend at this point, but Gordon is the more active and younger fighter heading into this one. The -325 price is steep, but Gordon’s advantages are real. Pick: Jared Gordon (-325).
The early prelims begin at 5:00 PM ET and feature four fights across multiple weight classes. If you are new to betting UFC, the DraftKings promo code or a FanDuel promo code can give you bonus funds to spread across these earlier fights.
Roman Kopylov (+160) faces Marco Tulio (-192) at middleweight, with Tulio currently installed as the favorite. Pick: Marco Tulio (-192) to handle business in a fight that should go his way.
Pat Sabatini (-205) versus William Gomis (+170) is a featherweight matchup. Sabatini’s wrestling is the key factor. Pick: Pat Sabatini (-205).
Baisangur Susurkaev (-750) is the second-biggest favorite on the card against Djorden Santos (+525) at middleweight. At those odds, it is only worth using him in parlays. Pick: Susurkaev.
Clayton Carpenter (+150) meets Jose Ochoa (-180) in a flyweight fight to open the event. Ochoa is favored, but Carpenter offers solid underdog value. Pick: Jose Ochoa (-180) as the safer play, though Carpenter is worth a small look at +150.
The two plays that stand out most on this card are Chimaev to win and Taira to take the flyweight title. For those looking for a value play, Joaquin Buckley at +150 against the grinding Brady offers real upset potential if his timing is on. Enjoy the fights, and good luck on Saturday night from Newark.
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