ufc 328 is adding another key bout in Newark, New Jersey, as matchmakers continue building out the event at Prudential Center. The card now includes an undefeated middleweight prospect, Baisangur Susurkaev, booked against Djorden Santos, with the matchup shared by Léo Guimares. As of 3: 12 PM ET on March 12, 2026, there is still no official confirmation on what fight will serve as the main event for the promotion’s return to Newark.
New fight booking: Susurkaev vs Santos joins ufc 328
The latest addition positions Baisangur Susurkaev, described as one of the UFC’s fastest-rising stars, for his next appearance at ufc 328 after breaking into the promotion last year. The fight, shared by Léo Guimares, pairs the undefeated middleweight against Djorden Santos, another contract winner from Dana White’s Contender Series in 2024.
Susurkaev’s rise has been built on early finishes. He earned a UFC contract by stopping Murtaza Talha with a first-round finish that drew a rave review from Dana White, UFC CEO. The result was described as Susurkaev’s seventh first-round finish and his eighth win by KO/TKO out of nine professional fights.
Brady vs Buckley moved onto the Newark card
Also now attached to the Newark event is a high-profile welterweight matchup between Sean Brady and Joaquin Buckley. That bout had originally been scheduled to headline UFC Vegas 116 on April 25, but it has been shifted onto the Prudential Center lineup.
The move adds more weight to the card even as the top billing remains unsettled. Organizers have not publicly confirmed the main event for the Newark return, leaving the final structure of the night still in motion as additional bookings firm up.
Immediate reactions and what officials have said
The clearest official reaction tied to Susurkaev’s rise came at the contract stage: Dana White, UFC CEO, issued a rave review after Susurkaev’s first-round stoppage of Murtaza Talha on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Beyond that, the newest Newark booking has circulated as a report from Léo Guimares, with no additional public statements included in the available event details. The promotion also has not provided an official main event confirmation at this time.
Quick context: how Susurkaev and Santos got here
After earning his contract, Susurkaev was quickly booked for his promotional debut at UFC 319 against Eric Nolan, where he finished the fight with a rear naked choke in the second round. His third UFC bout and fourth fight of 2025 came at UFC 322 against Eric McConico, where he went to the third round for just the second time in his career and moved to 10-0 with another knockout victory.
Santos, also coming through the Contender Series in 2024, entered his DWCS fight with a 9-1 record against Will Currie and received a contract after winning by decision. Santos’ promotional debut at UFC 313 ended in a loss against Ozzy, and he now heads into this matchup looking for what was described as a major upset.
What’s next for ufc 328
With Susurkaev vs Santos and Brady vs Buckley now tied to the Newark date, attention turns to the remaining open question: the still-unconfirmed main event. The next major development to watch is an official announcement from the UFC clarifying the top fight and finalizing the order of bouts as ufc 328 approaches at Prudential Center in Newark.
