UFC 328 Fight Card, Start Times & Official Weigh-in Results

Fight week is finally wrapping up, and let me tell you, the energy in Newark is absolutely electric. The octagon is officially touching down at the Prudential Center, and UFC 328 is shaping up to be one of the most explosive and emotionally charged events of 2026. If you have been following the build-up this week on Maincard Money, you already know the tension is boiling over. Between a chaotic press conference brawl, massive title implications, and some unfortunate surprises on the scale, this Paramount+ exclusive card has everything a fight fan could ask for.

We always want to cut through the promotional noise and give you exactly what you need to prepare for fight night. Let’s get right into the global start times, the complete event lineup, the analytical breakdown of the matchups you absolutely cannot miss, and the official drama from the scales.

UFC 328 Global Start Times

Timing is everything, especially when a card is this stacked from top to bottom. The UFC is a truly global sport, and fans will be tuning in from every corner of the planet. To make sure you do not miss a single walkout or betting opportunity, here is the exact breakdown of when the action kicks off across major global time zones.

The Complete UFC 328 Fight Card

The matchmakers really outdid themselves this time, putting together a phenomenal mix of battle-tested veterans, rising prospects, and undisputed champions. Here is how the entire night is scheduled to play out.

Main Card (9:00 PM ET)

Preliminary Card (7:00 PM ET)

Early Prelims (5:00 PM ET)

The Fights to Watch: Chaos Before the Cage

You simply cannot talk about UFC 328 without zeroing in on the main event. Undefeated middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev is defending his belt against former champion Sean Strickland, and the bad blood is as real as it gets.

If you tuned into the pre-fight press conference, you saw the absolute chaos firsthand. A routine face-off turned incredibly physical when Chimaev suddenly launched a kick at Strickland. Security had to swarm the stage just to keep the main event intact, and UFC CEO Dana White later confirmed the strike landed below the belt. The emotional charge from that incident has added pure gasoline to an already volatile fire.

From an analytical standpoint, this is a fascinating stylistic chess match. Strickland’s upright, jab-heavy pressure and exceptional distance management will be put to the ultimate test against Chimaev’s relentless, chain-wrestling aggression. Chimaev has looked completely unstoppable so far, but Strickland has a notorious habit of dragging fighters into deep, uncomfortable waters. The big question for bettors and fans alike is whether Chimaev will fight with anger and risk gassing out early, or if he will manage to run through the former champ with calculated precision.

Meanwhile, the co-main event offers a showcase of pure, high-level martial arts. Joshua Van is defending his 125-pound strap against the undefeated Japanese phenom Tatsuro Taira. Taira’s suffocating grappling is a massive problem for anyone in the division, but Van has the crisp striking and hometown resilience to keep the fight on the feet. This is a classic prospect-turned-contender clash that could easily steal “Fight of the Night” honors while the rest of the world is focused on the main event drama.

Official UFC 328 Weigh-in Results

The scales brought their own share of controversy on Friday morning at the Prudential Center. While our main and co-main event fighters hit their championship marks perfectly, looking dialed in and ready to go, the same cannot be said for the entire card.

The biggest talking point of the morning was veteran Jeremy Stephens coming in heavy for his lightweight clash against King Green. Stephens tipped the scales at 160 pounds—a full four pounds over the non-title limit. The bout will fortunately still proceed as a catchweight, but it is undoubtedly a tough look for the experienced knockout artist. Consequently, he will be forced to forfeit a percentage of his purse to Green.

Here is a look at the official weights for the top matchups on the card:

Final Thoughts: The Stakes at UFC 328

As the arena lights go down at the Prudential Center, UFC 328 genuinely feels like a turning point for multiple divisions. Whether Chimaev proves he is the inevitable, long-reigning middleweight king, or Strickland drags him into the grueling deep waters of an upset, the landscape of the 185-pound weight class will look completely different by Sunday morning. Add in a phenomenal flyweight title clash and a heavy-hitting undercard, and you have a night of combat sports that absolutely demands your attention.

Drop your final predictions in the comments below, keep an eye on those shifting betting lines as the walkouts approach, and stay locked in right here with Maincard Money for our full post-fight breakdown and analysis. Enjoy the violence!