UFC 328: Joel Alvarez vs Yaroslav Amosov Preview & Prediction
Heavy-handed Spaniard, Joel Alvarez, looks to derail the hype train of former Bellator champion turned Ukrainian war hero, Yaroslav Amosov.
Joel Alvarez vs Yaroslav Amosov facts
What time are Joel Alvarez and Yaroslav Amosov 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)
Joel Alvarez: Can “El Fenomeno” cement himself as a genuine threat in his new weight class?
Joel Alvarez (23-3) is a frighteningly large welterweight who has somehow spent most of his career at lightweight, racking up 22 finishes across 23 wins. The Spaniard made his welterweight debut last October with a dominant decision over Vicente Luque, and arguably should have had the finish in the first round had the referee not mistakenly ruled an eye poke. At 6’3, Alvarez mixes his striking beautifully, throwing jabs from unconventional angles and mixing kicks into extended combinations. His ground game is equally vicious, transitioning fluidly between ground-and-pound and submission threats whenever the fight hits the mat.
Yaroslav Amosov: Former Bellator champ and Ukrainian war hero
Yaroslav Amosov (29-1) has one of the craziest records to ever enter the UFC, having held the Bellator welterweight title and taking two years away from the sport to fight for his country, joining the likes of Usyk and Lomachenko in honouring his homeland. Amosov made his debut by submitting Neil Magny via anaconda in the first round. Amosov striking is basic but effective, however, on the floor, his transitional grappling is among the best at 170.
Joel Alvarez vs Yaroslav Amosov prediction
This is the classic hyped up prospect taking a huge leap up in competition situation. Amosov hasn’t faced UFC level opposition outside of Magny, and Alvarez is being underrated for the absolute killer that he is. Submitting Magny in the first round is impressive, but Magny is the gatekeeper everyone uses to climb into the rankings, and Alvarez is a level above him on the feet and on the floor.
The only argument for Amosov rests on Alvarez taking Luque to a decision, which isn’t a great look in 2026, but that fight was a one sided beating where Joel had Luque finished early before the referee’s incorrect call gave a lifeline. Amosov has the advantage of being the better wrestler, and Alvarez has shown vulnerability on the ground in his only recent loss to Arman Tsarukyan, but that’s arguably the second-best lightweight right now.
Even if Amosov gets the takedowns, Joel’s a constant submission threat from his back, and he can land elbows from bottom. The grappling is much closer between them than difference in striking on the feet, Alvarez operates at a different level – mixes up his weapons, strikes with power, and threatening the finish with any given combination. The underdog has a good chance of getting it done here.
Prediction: Joel Alvarez to win by KO/TKO, DQ or submission
