UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland Main Card Staff Picks

"Middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, a Chechen with ties to dictator Ramzan Kadyrov, faces American Sean Strickland in the fiery main event. A divisive figure with half of fight fans seeing Strickland as a loudmouth and the other half as a free speech champion, "Tarzan" has done his best to get under Chimaev's skin all week long. Calling him a terrorist due to his ties to Kadyrov, and a lot worse, Strickland appeared to have achieved the result he was looking for when Chimaev attempted to land a low blow during Thursday's pre-fight press conference."

"In the night's co-main event, Josh Van looks to make the first defense of his flyweight title opposite Japan's Tatsuro Taira. It's the first time two fighters born after 2000 will compete for UFC gold, and the first all-Asian title fight among UFC men (Weili Zhang and Yan Xiaonan beat them to it on the women's side). Still a huge fight, as Van noted, for the Asian community. And should Taira win, he'll become the first-ever Japanese UFC champion."

"One thing is clear: our crew does not like Sean Strickland's chances against Khamzat Chimaev on Saturday. Only one writer responding selected Strickland to dethrone "Borz." Perhaps surprisingly, Tatsuro Taira was also close to a lock to unseat champ Josh Van. King Green was the strongest favorite of the night, taking 100% of our picks. Not surprising, with opponent Jeremy Stephens having missed weight for the lightweight main card opener after being out for a year."

Khamzat Chimaev, the middleweight champion with ties to Ramzan Kadyrov, faces Sean Strickland in the main event at UFC 328 in Newark. Strickland has spent the week provoking Chimaev, calling him a terrorist due to his connections and attempting to unsettle him during pre-fight events. Chimaev’s attempted low blow at a Thursday press conference followed Strickland’s provocation. The co-main event matches flyweight champion Josh Van against Japan’s Tatsuro Taira, marking the first UFC title fight between fighters born after 2000 and the first all-Asian men’s title fight. Van aims for his first defense, while Taira would become the first Japanese UFC champion if he wins. Pick selections heavily favor Chimaev and Van, with King Green also a strong favorite.

Read at Cageside Press