talkSPORT betting tips – Best bets and expert advice for UFC 328

UFC 328 takes place Saturday, May 9, 2026 with 13 fights at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. We have put together our three favourite betting tips for the big fight night.

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UFC 328 Tips

• Khamzat Chimaev to win by Decision or Technical Decision @ 16/5
• Ateba Gautier to win in Round 1 @ 1/2
• Baysangur Susurkaev to win by KO, TKO or DQ @ 21/20

Borz to Bad blood 

Khazat Chimaev (15-0-0) brings an unbeaten record into this contest with Sean Strickland (30-7-0). 

Chimaev secured the title in a five-round domination of Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 last August, securing control time of over four rounds of the five-round contest.

It was only the 32-year-old’s third decision win in nine UFC contests, with the four wins by submission and two by KO/TKO.

Strickland had a one-fight reign as champion following his shock win over Israel Adesanya in 2023. 

Defeated by Dricus Du Plessis in his next fight by split decision, the American also lost a 2025 rematch to the South African, once again on the judges scorecards.

Strickland bounced back either side of those defeats with victories over Paulo Costa (SD) and Anthony Hernandez (TKO R3).

Although Chimzev played it safe in claiming the title, there is added pressure to make this fight more interesting, particularly against an opponent where there is bad blood.

Strickland is a master at frustrating opponents, particularly on the feet, and brings strong defensive wrestling. It’s also worth noting he has never been submitted in 37 professional contests.

This one could get drawn out with Chimaev still the likely victor over 25 minutes. 

One round is all it takes

A five minute shoot-out could be all that’s needed for the fearsome Ateba Gautier (10-1-0) against Ozzy Diaz (10-3-0).

Fighting out of the UK in Carl Prince’s Manchester Top Team, Gautier has three first-round finishes from his four UFC wins.

The 24-year-old’s finish streak was ended with a unanimous decision win against tricky 6”4 Russian Andrey Pulyaev last time out but can get back on track here.

Diaz is 1-1 in the UFC, bouncing back after a debut first-round knockout defeat to Mingyang Zhang, while he was also knocked out in the second round by Joe Pyfer on Dana White’s Contender series.

A finisher in his own right on the regional scene, Diaz will come to scrap but could well play into the hands of someone as powerful and dangerous as Gautier.

A “Susur” thing

Another finisher on the prelims is Baisangur Susurkaev (11-0-0), who faces Brazilian Djorden Santos (11-2-0).

Susurkaev is 2-0 in the UFC, with one submission win and one KO/TKO, with nine wins in total by knockout on his pro record. 

Santos is 1-1 in the UFC, after bouncing back from a debut defeat to Ozzy Diaz by beating Danny Barlow on the scorecards in October.

The 28-year-old doesn’t look to be on the same level as the 25-year-old Susurkaev, who is part of Khamzat Chimaev’s team; and can get the night off to a good start for the two Chechnyan fighters.

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