Joel Álvarez is returning to the UFC octagon on May 9 in Newark, New Jersey, where he will face former Bellator champion Yaroslav Amosov in a welterweight bout at UFC 328. The Asturian fighter, known as “El Fenómeno,” is preparing for the challenge by training in Bayonne, France, with UFC lightweight contender Benoit Saint Denis.
According to verified reports, Álvarez (23-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) will meet Amosov (29-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in a welterweight contest at UFC 328, scheduled for May 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The event will be broadcast on Paramount+. This marks Álvarez’s second fight in the UFC welterweight division following his decision victory over Vicente Luque at UFC Fight Night 261 in October 2025.
Amosov, making his second UFC appearance, defeated Neil Magny via first-round submission at UFC on ESPN 73 in December 2025. His only professional loss came in his final Bellator fight in 2023. Álvarez enters the bout on a four-fight winning streak, with his most recent win coming against Luque.
To prepare for the stylistic challenge posed by Amosov’s wrestling-heavy approach, Álvarez has traveled to Bayonne to train with Benoit Saint Denis, a top-five ranked UFC lightweight. Saint Denis confirmed the collaboration, stating he was contacted by Álvarez to help prepare for his upcoming commitment, which Álvarez has indicated may be a future bout against Paddy Pimblett.
The two fighters have been sharing sparring sessions and exchanging technical insights during Álvarez’s time in Bayonne. Saint Denis, known for his aggressive striking and improving grappling, represents a high-level test for Álvarez as he refines his defensive wrestling and submission defenses against elite-level pressure.
Álvarez’s preparation strategy focuses on leveraging his significant height and reach advantage to keep Amosov at distance, utilizing his striking arsenal to prevent the Ukrainian from closing the gap and initiating takedowns. But, Álvarez has demonstrated comfort in grappling exchanges throughout his career, with 20 of his 23 professional victories coming by submission, including notable wins via triangle choke and guillotine.
Amosov, a former Bellator welterweight champion, is recognized for his relentless pressure, exceptional wrestling, and strong top-control ability. His UFC debut showcased these strengths against Magny, where he secured a quick submission victory. Álvarez will require to defend effectively against takedowns while remaining dangerous off his back, a scenario he has successfully navigated in past encounters.
The UFC 328 card also features a middleweight title bout between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland, along with other notable matchups including Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes Acosta, Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley, and Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov. The event takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, a venue that has hosted multiple UFC events in recent years.
Álvarez’s time in Bayonne represents a significant investment in his preparation, as training with a top-five ranked lightweight like Saint Denis provides rare exposure to elite-level pace, volume, and technical variety. The collaboration highlights Álvarez’s willingness to seek out challenging environments to evolve his skill set ahead of a pivotal career fight.
A victory over Amosov would mark Álvarez’s second consecutive win in the UFC welterweight division and position him for potential rankings movement. Amosov, despite being new to the UFC, carries significant pedigree as a former Bellator champion and is viewed as a serious threat to break into the top 15.
The bout between Álvarez and Amosov represents a classic striker vs. Grappler matchup, with Álvarez aiming to use his length and submission threat to keep the fight standing or capitalize if it hits the ground, while Amosov seeks to impose his wrestling and grind out a victory through control and pressure.
As fight week approaches, Álvarez continues his preparations in Bayonne under the guidance of Saint Denis, refining the specific tools needed to counter Amosov’s strengths while maximizing his own advantages in reach, striking precision, and submission acumen from various positions.
The outcome of UFC 328 could significantly influence the trajectory of both fighters in the highly competitive UFC welterweight division. For Álvarez, a win would validate his status as one of Spain’s top MMA exports alongside Ilia Topuria and potentially set the stage for a future bout with a top-tier opponent like Paddy Pimblett, as hinted by his training camp focus.
Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of Joel Álvarez’s preparation and the UFC 328 event as fight night approaches.
