UFC 328: Clayton Carpenter vs Jose Ochoa Preview & Prediction
Flyweights take the stage for the second fight on the prelims, with Clayton Carpenter looking to bounce back against dangerous KO artist, Jose Ochoa.
Clayton Carpenter vs Jose Ochoa facts
What time are Clayton Carpenter and Jose Ochoa expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland? Prudential Center, Newark, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 328
What TV channel is UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland main card
Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland (Middleweight)
Joshua Van vs Tatsuro Taira (Flyweight)
Alexander Volkov vs Waldo-Cortes Acosta (Heavyweight)
Sean Brady vs Joaquin Buckley (Welterweight)
King Green vs Jeremy Stephens (Lightweight)
UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland prelims
Ateba Gautier vs Osman Diaz (Middleweight)
Joel Alvarez vs Yaroslav Amosov (Welterweight)
Grant Dawson vs Mateusz Rebecki (Lightweight)
Jim Miller vs Jared Gordon (Lightweight)
Roman Kopylov vs Marco Tulio (Middleweight)
Pat Sabatini vs William Gomis (Featherweight)
Baisangur Susurkaev vs Djorden Santos (Middleweight)
Clayton Carpenter vs Jose Ochoa (Flyweight)
Clayton Carpenter: Can the American prospect avoid a third straight defeat?
Riding a two fight losing streak into this one, Clayton Carpenter (8-2) has gone from an undefeated prospect to potentially fighting for his job in the space of a year. Back to back losses to Tagir Ulanbekov and Jafel Filho have left the 29 year old American with a 2-2 UFC record leading into this one, meaning that the stakes have never been higher for him than they will be on Saturday night. A talented submission artist, Carpenter will be looking to add another win by tap out to the four already on his record.
Jose Ochoa: Will "Kalzifer" score his second UFC KO?
Just 1-2 since joining the promotion, many might question why Jose Ochoa (8-2) is the favorite leading into this one. However, there’s a method to the madness here. Boasting a 100% finish rate, Ochoa’s only two losses have come to elite level competition in the form of Asu Almabayev and Lone’er Kavanagh, matchups where he still had his moments despite coming out on the wrong end of the result. The Chute Box prospect is an all-action finisher, coming out of the gates like a bat out of hell and throwing caution to the wind in the hopes of an early finish.
Clayton Carpenter vs Jose Ochoa prediction
Carpenter had an unenviable 2025, going 0-2 after a 2-0 start to life in the promotion. Unfortunately for the American, his first bout of 2026 could well end in a similarly rough manner.
Ochoa may only be 1-2 since joining the promotion in 2024, but it’s worth noting that he’s only lost to top level talent in Asu Almabayev and Lone’er Kavanagh during that time. He also destroyed Cody Durden in his only test against non-elite competition to date, a fighter who bears a lot of similarities to Carpenter when it comes to his striking and takedown numbers.
Carpenter could well take this if he’s able to effectively land takedowns, but Durden also found success in the wrestling department against Ochoa before ultimately getting KO’d. If it’s entirely contested on the feet, it’s hard to pick against a fighter who went blow for blow with Lone’er Kavanagh.
Carpenter will likely start strong and land takedowns in the early goings, but if Ochoa is able to work his way back to his feet, I like his chances to detonate something fight ending on the American’s chin in the open. As such, the pick is Ochoa by TKO.
Prediction: Jose Ochoa to win by TKO
