The UFC is back on the East Coast for UFC 328, its fifth numbered event of the calendar year, and two titles are on the line in New Jersey.
The popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes. UFC 328 (Paramount+) takes place Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark.
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The headliner is a middleweight title fight between champion Khamzat Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) and ex-champ Sean Strickland (30-7 MMA, 17-7 UFC). There have been threats of violence between the two that fall outside the realm of cagefighting, which has added intrigue to the week.
In the co-feature, Joshua Van (16-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) puts his flyweight title on the line for the first time, and he’s an underdog against challenger Tatsuro Taira (18-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC).
The first episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:
“Sean Strickland bulldozes his yard ahead of some construction; Champion Khamzat Chimaev celebrates his birthday with his team at the gym; Tatsuro Taira trains in Colorado with fellow UFC fighters Cory Sandhagen and interim lightweight champ Justin Gaethje; Joel Alvarez hits the thrill rides at Coney Island; King Green wraps up his camp in California; Joshua Van prepares for his first title defense with some intense cardio work.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 328 ‘Embedded’ behind-scenes preview video 1: Chimaev-Strickland