LIVE! Watch UFC 328 Post-Fight Press Conference | Khamzat Vs. Strickland

The dust has settled inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. UFC 328 is officially in the books, and what a night it was. From the opening preliminary bout to the final horn of the main event, Saturday, May 9, 2026, delivered a stacked card that had the sold-out crowd on its feet. Now, the real conversation begins. Fight fans can watch the UFC 328 post-fight press conference live in the video player above to catch all the raw reactions, official bonus winners, and heated exchanges from the biggest winners and losers of the evening.

The headline attraction was nothing short of colossal. Undefeated UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev put his belt on the line against former titleholder Sean Strickland in a grudge match that had been simmering for months. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. The co-main event saw UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van defend his throne against surging Japanese contender Tatsuro Taira, while a heavyweight clash between Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta threatened to steal the show. With so much action, the post-fight presser—scheduled to go live around 12:15 a.m. ET (Sunday)—promises to be a must-watch event in itself.

Main Event Breakdown: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland

Let’s talk about the main event that had the MMA world holding its breath. Khamzat Chimaev, the undefeated phenom from Sweden, entered the Octagon with a perfect record and a reputation for suffocating pressure. His opponent, Sean Strickland, is a man who thrives on chaos. Strickland’s unorthodox boxing and relentless trash talk were supposed to be the perfect foil for Chimaev’s grappling-heavy attack. But from the moment the cage door closed, it was clear that Chimaev had other plans.

The first round was a chess match. Strickland, known for his high-volume jab, tried to keep the champion at range. Chimaev, however, ate the shots and closed the distance. By the second round, the tide turned. Chimaev secured a takedown that Strickland simply could not escape. The ground-and-pound was methodical, brutal, and decisive. The judges’ scorecards told the story: a unanimous decision victory for Khamzat Chimaev, but not without controversy. Strickland’s corner argued for a split, and the crowd erupted in boos when the decision was read.

Expert Analysis: Chimaev’s cardio, often questioned in the past, looked vastly improved. He didn’t fade in the championship rounds. Instead, he increased his pace. Strickland, to his credit, showed incredible toughness, surviving multiple submission attempts. But the key takeaway here is that Chimaev is evolving. He is no longer just a first-round finisher; he is a five-round nightmare. The UFC middleweight division just got a lot more interesting, with potential challengers like Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya circling like sharks.

Co-Main Event Showdown: Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira

The co-main event was a flyweight masterclass. Joshua Van, the reigning champion, faced his toughest test yet in Tatsuro Taira. Taira, a Japanese prodigy with a slick jiu-jitsu game, came into the fight undefeated and hungry. The question was whether Van’s speed and power could neutralize Taira’s grappling.

The answer was a resounding yes—but not without drama. Van started fast, landing crisp combinations that wobbled Taira in the first round. Taira responded by dragging the fight to the mat in the second and third rounds, threatening with a deep armbar that had the crowd gasping. Van, showing championship heart, escaped and turned the tide with vicious ground strikes. The fight went the distance, and the judges awarded a unanimous decision win to Joshua Van, but it was far from easy.

Key Takeaways from the Co-Main Event:

• Joshua Van proved he can survive adversity. His takedown defense improved significantly.
• Tatsuro Taira is a future title contender. He pushed the champion to the limit and earned respect.
• The flyweight division is deep. Van’s next opponent could be a rematch with Taira or a fresh challenger like Manel Kape.

Heavyweight Fireworks: Volkov vs. Cortes-Acosta

If you missed the heavyweight clash between Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta, you missed a violent slugfest. Volkov, the veteran Russian striker, came in with a reach advantage and a plan to keep the fight standing. Cortes-Acosta, a powerful brawler from the Dominican Republic, had other ideas. He pressed forward from the opening bell, landing heavy hooks and leg kicks that slowed Volkov’s movement.

The turning point came in the second round. Volkov, known for his technical precision, uncorked a brutal body kick that folded Cortes-Acosta. The follow-up punches were academic. Referee Herb Dean stepped in at 2:38 of the second round, giving Volkov a second-round TKO victory. The win puts Volkov back in the heavyweight title conversation, especially with Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic potentially on the horizon.

Prediction for Volkov: He needs one more win against a top-five opponent to secure a title shot. A fight against Tom Aspinall or Ciryl Gane would be a perfect litmus test. Cortes-Acosta, meanwhile, showed heart but needs to work on his defense against body shots.

Official Bonus Winners and Post-Fight Drama

As always, the UFC 328 post-fight press conference will reveal the official bonus winners. Based on the action we witnessed, several fighters are in the running for the $50,000 Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses. Expect to see Alexander Volkov and Khamzat Chimaev on that list, but don’t sleep on the undercard.

In the prelims, Jailton Almeida submitted Shamil Gaziev in the first round with a rear-naked choke that was pure artistry. That submission is a strong candidate for a bonus. Also, Mackenzie Dern earned a hard-fought decision over Amanda Lemos in a women’s strawweight war that had the crowd roaring. That fight has Fight of the Night written all over it.

Dana White’s Presence: If we’re lucky, UFC CEO Dana White will make an appearance at the presser. He is known for dropping bombshell announcements after major events. Rumors are swirling about a potential super fight between Chimaev and a welterweight champion, or even a move to light heavyweight. White’s comments on the main event controversy and the future of the flyweight division will be must-hear material.

Expert Analysis and Predictions for the Future

As a seasoned sports journalist, I can tell you that UFC 328 was a pivotal night for the promotion. The middleweight division now has a clear king in Khamzat Chimaev, but the road ahead is treacherous. Sean Strickland will likely drop in the rankings, but he remains a gatekeeper. The real threat is Dricus du Plessis, who has been calling for a title shot since last year. Du Plessis and Chimaev would be a fireworks display of power and aggression.

At flyweight, Joshua Van is building a legacy. He has now defended his belt twice, and his win over Taira solidifies him as the top dog. However, the division is stacked with hungry contenders like Kai Kara-France and Brandon Royval. Expect Van to face one of them next, likely in the fall of 2026.

Heavyweight predictions: Alexander Volkov is a dark horse. His win over Cortes-Acosta was impressive, but he needs a signature victory over a former champion to earn that title shot. A fight against Sergei Pavlovich or Jairzinho Rozenstruik would be a step in the right direction.

How to Watch the UFC 328 Post-Fight Press Conference

If you haven’t already, scroll up to the video player at the top of this article. The UFC 328 post-fight press conference is streaming live now. It will feature the biggest winners and losers from the card, including Khamzat Chimaev, Sean Strickland, Joshua Van, and Alexander Volkov. Expect raw emotions, heated exchanges, and exclusive interviews you won’t find anywhere else.

For those who missed the action, you can click HERE for complete UFC 328 results, coverage, and highlights. The replay of the entire card is available on Paramount+, so don’t miss out on the fights that had the Prudential Center shaking.

Strong Conclusion: What We Learned at UFC 328

UFC 328 was a night of validation and revelation. Khamzat Chimaev validated his status as the best middleweight on the planet, proving he can go five rounds and dominate a former champion. Joshua Van revealed a champion’s heart, surviving a dangerous grappler and emerging victorious. And Alexander Volkov reminded everyone that the heavyweight division is wide open.

The post-fight press conference is your window into the minds of these warriors. Watch it live, soak in the analysis, and get ready for the next chapter. The UFC never sleeps, and after a night like this, the conversation is just beginning. Stay tuned for more breaking news, trade rumors, and fight announcements as the fallout from UFC 328 continues to unfold.

Don’t forget to bookmark this page and check back for updates. The press conference is live now, and you don’t want to miss a second of the drama.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.