The highly anticipated UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland event unfolded on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, with Khamzat Chimaev defending his middleweight title against former champion Sean Strickland. The co-main event also featured a championship bout, with flyweight champion Joshua Van facing off against Tatsuro Taira. This event is part of a broader strategic shift for the UFC, with Paramount+ now serving as the exclusive U.S. home for all UFC numbered events and Fight Nights.
A New Era of UFC Broadcasting
This UFC 328 event signifies the ongoing integration of the Ultimate Fighting Championship into the Paramount media landscape. A landmark seven-year deal, valued at approximately $7.7 billion, was established between Paramount and TKO Group Holdings in August 2025. This agreement designates Paramount+ as the sole U.S. platform for all UFC numbered events and Fight Nights, with select major bouts also being simulcast on CBS. This move represents a departure from the UFC's traditional pay-per-view model, aiming to broaden its reach to a wider national audience. The partnership extends beyond live events, with Paramount+ also becoming the exclusive home for new seasons of popular UFC series such as Dana White's Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter, beginning in 2026.
UFC 328: Fight Night Details and Impact
UFC 328 featured a stacked card, including the main event middleweight championship clash between Chimaev and Strickland, and the flyweight title defense by Joshua Van against Tatsuro Taira. The preliminary card began at 5 p.m. ET, with the main card starting at 9 p.m. ET, all exclusively available on Paramount+. The event's broadcast on Paramount+ underscores the streaming platform's growing importance in live sports, offering subscribers a comprehensive package that includes UFC action alongside a vast library of movies and TV episodes. This accessibility is a key component of the deal, intended to foster deeper engagement with UFC's dedicated fanbase and provide a consistent platform for its athletes.
Looking Ahead: The Future of UFC on Paramount+
The UFC's presence on Paramount+ is set to continue and expand. The deal includes plans for international distribution in Latin America and Australia starting in 2026. Furthermore, UFC CEO Dana White had previously discussed the possibility of hosting a fight at the White House on July 4, 2026, to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary, an event that would have been broadcast on CBS. While specific details on future White House events remain to be seen, the ongoing partnership between Paramount and the UFC signals a robust future for mixed martial arts content on Paramount's platforms, offering fans a consistent and exclusive viewing experience.