3 Takeaways From UFC 328 (Outside Of Title Fights)

Yaroslav Amosov continues to be on the rise, submitting Joel Alvarez with an arm-triangle choke in the prelims. It marked his second straight win in the Octagon and third straight overall since leaving Bellator, where he was once the welterweight champion, in 2024.

That being said, it is clear that Amosov has become one of the best Bellator alums in the UFC. While he is currently ranked outside the Top 10, he will not remain there for longer. He deserves to fight up, and the aforementioned Buckley make sense for him.

2) Jeremy Stephens’ Second Octagon Stint Was Unnecessary

Back on the subject of Stephens, he had a very bad weekend. Missing weight by four pounds? Check. Breaking the record for most losses in UFC history? Check. Doing so in lopsided fashion that involved giving up a takedown and being dominated on the ground? Check.

One has to wonder why Stephens is even back at all after he lost to Mason Jones in his home state of Iowa a year ago. He had left on a seven-fight winless skid, the only non-loss being a no-contest against Yair Rodriguez that came because of an eye poke, then Stephens lost the rematch. He was also disappointing in the PFL, going 1-2 before switching to boxing, initially gloved, then bare-knuckle.

A more relevant fighter should have been booked in Stephens’ place. For example, Tatiana Suarez vs. Loopy Godinez from last month’s UFC 327 could have been moved here. Both strawweight contenders would have benefited from the main-card experience, elevating their profiles as potential next opponents for either Weili Zhang or Mackenzie Dern.

1) Josh Hokit Cannot Afford To Lost To Derrick Lewis

A win for Cortes-Acosta could have revitalized the heavyweight division even more after Josh Hokit’s heroics against Curtis Blaydes. Alas, he proved too slow and flat-footed against Volkov, who picked him apart at will.

Unless Alex Pereira makes history against Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250, the top end of heavyweight will remain stagnant. Heavyweight desperately needs new young, hungry risers like Hokit, so will now be under even more pressure to deliver against Derrick Lewis on the same night.

End Of My UFC 328 Rant

As for the two title fights, the next opponents are obvious.

Alexandre Pantoja should be fully healthy come summer, having averted surgery for his dislocated elbow. His next move should be clear: a title rematch against Van. Was the result of their first fight a fluke, or has flyweight really entered a new era?

As for Strickland, only one name makes sense: Nassourdine Imavov.

Strickland and Imavov first met in strange circumstances in 2023, with Strickland winning by decision. Over three years later, however, Imavov has gone on a monstrous win streak. Has he greatly improved, or is Strickland just a tad better?

All these questions should be answered in the coming months…