UFC 328: Top-10 heavyweights collide in crucial divisional matchup
MMA Fighting
March 7, 2026
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 25: Alexander Volkov of Russia prepares to face Jailton Almeida of Brazil in a heavyweight fight during the UFC 321 event at Etihad Arena on October 25, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
A battle of top-10 UFC heavyweights is heading to Newark.
Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that a matchup between Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta is set for UFC 328. The event takes place May 9 at Prudential Center, and streams exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S.
Brazilian reporter Leo Guimaraes first reported the bout on Twitter.
Volkov has won five of his past six, with the lone loss during that stretch being a controversial decision to Ciryl Gane at UFC 310 in December 2024. “Drago” bounced back with a split decision win against Jailton Almeida at UFC 321 this past October.
Cortes-Acosta has been on a tear recently, winning eight of his past nine bouts and earning Breakthrough Fighter of the Year consideration last year. “Salsa Boy” competed an incredible five times in 2025, going 4-1 on the year with finishes of Ryan Spann, Ante Delija, and Shamil Gaziev. In his most recent bout, the 34-year-old stopped Derrick Lewis at UFC 324 in January.
Guilherme Cruz contributed to this report.
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Originally published on MMA Fighting on 3/7/2026