It feels like a long time since we have had a UFC main event with this much vitriol.

Khamzat Chimaev makes the first defence of his UFC Middleweight title as he squares off against the vocal Sean Strickland in New Jersey in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The build-up has been predictably chaotic, no more so than when Chimaev threw a kick at Strickland during the face-off on Thursday night.

Strickland has done a great job of hyping the fight and, more importantly to this bet, giving fans the idea he has a chance of winning.

I’m backing Chimaev to get the finish within the five rounds. Doubters will say three of his last five have gone the distance, but context is important.

He toyed with Dricus Du Plessis on winning the belt, and the other was a back-and-forth war with former Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (who took the fight on short notice).

Yes, Strickland looked really good when he TKO’d Anthony Hernandez back in February, but all Khamzat needs is one takedown, and I don’t think Strickland has the facilities to deal with this elite wrestling.

Khamzat at EVS to win by submission could be a strong shout for those looking to bolster odds, but we’ll cover the KO/TKO finish as well at 1.50 on Sunday morning.

You have to feel for Joshua Van a bit.

Becoming the first fighter born in the 2000s to win UFC gold should be heralded, but the circumstances of his win over Alexandre Pantoja make it difficult for fans to see him as a worthy champion.

A freak accident caused Pantoja’s shoulder to dislocate 26 seconds into the fight. Van was lambasted for his celebrations, and faces his first title defence against the game Tatsuro Taira in the co-main event.

I’m surprised to see the price of odds against for this fight to go the full five rounds in truth. Four of Van’s last six have gone the distance, with another being the freak title fight that ended in 26 seconds.

Taira’s only professional loss came in a Fight Of The Night against Brandon Royval back in October 2024 via decision. It’s important to note, too, that Van has also gone the distance with Royal.

Six of Van’s 10 UFC fights have gone the distance, and I expect this to be a drawn-out five-rounder and an attractive selection at this price.

It really is a clash of styles here. The traditional wrestler v striker matchup, where more often than not, the wrestler comes out on top.

For those staying up through the early hours to watch UFC 328, this fight may be one to grab a nap during.

I’ve never been enamored with Sean Brady’s style. His traditional US wrestling style has not made his matchups the most exciting, no more so than his UFC London main event win over Leon Edwards last year.

Buckley has been on a great run to his credit. He’s 6-1 in his last seven, and his most recent fight was a decision loss to Kamaru Usman, certainly nothing to scoff at.

I think Brady will go back to basics following his TKO loss to contender Michael Morales. Buckley is a danger on the feet, and Brady should be able to neutralise him by taking this one to the mat.

I expect it to go three rounds, and Brady to take the win. Half his pro wins have gone to decision, and 1.50 for him to win on the nose here looks the play.

Who would have thought we would see these two fight in 2026?

King Green made his UFC debut back in 2013, while Jeremy Stephens debuted in the promotion back in 2007.

I’m stunned to see this priced at EVS to go the distance. Only two of Green’s last 11 have gone to the judges’ scorecards, while Stephens has had only one MMA fight in the last four years.

Stephens has been keeping busy via a stint in BKFC, most recently coming off the back of a gruesome five-round war in a loss to the BKFC king, Mike Perry.

Stephens will want to stand and bang, and Green will be game. Both men have had their chins checked in recent years, and here looks no different. Expect the loser to no doubt retire, and this one to not go the distance.