An in-depth analysis examines whether Sean Strickland can get back to his feet against Hamzat Chimaev's grappling dominance at UFC 328. Training partners Luke Rockhold, Jorge Masvidal, and Sharaf Davlatmurodov all describe Strickland as extremely difficult to hold down, noting his ability to stand up even against heavyweights and college wrestlers. However, the analysis suggests Chimaev's faster transitions, leg control, and technical superiority make it unlikely Strickland can fully disengage at the fence or in center cage, especially in early rounds. Past fights with Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman are cited, with the piece concluding Chimaev will likely either finish Strickland in grappling exchanges or win a decision if forced to rely more on striking. The first takedown exchange is expected to reveal whether Strickland's wrestling defense can withstand elite-level pressure.
Sean Strickland's ability to stay on his feet against Khamzat Chimaev's suffocating grappling game has emerged as the central question surrounding their middleweight title clash at UFC 328 on May 9.
Strickland, nicknamed "Tarzan," enters as the reigning middleweight champion with a 31-7 record. The 35-year-old American out of Xtreme Couture is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute. His takedown rate of 0.71 per 15 minutes reflects a fighter who prefers to keep the contest standing, and his submission attempt rate of just 0.2 per 15 minutes underlines how much he relies on keeping the fight on the feet.
Training partners including Luke Rockhold, Jorge Masvidal, and Sharaf Davlatmurodov have painted a picture of Strickland as exceptionally hard to pin down, with reports describing his ability to stand up even against heavyweights and experienced college wrestlers. Rockhold, the 41-year-old former champion out of American Kickboxing Academy, carries a 16-6 record and is considered credible testimony given his own high-level grappling background.
The analysis draws on Strickland's previous bouts, citing his fights against Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman as reference points. Du Plessis, currently ranked second in the middleweight division and seventh pound-for-pound at 23-3, averages 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes, offering a relevant comparison point for elite-level wrestling pressure Strickland has already faced.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's faster transitions and leg control are identified as areas where Strickland's scrambling ability may fall short
- The first takedown exchange is expected to function as an early indicator of how the fight will unfold
- If Chimaev is kept at distance, the analysis suggests the fight shifts toward Strickland's boxing-heavy output game
- A finish in grappling exchanges or a decision victory for Chimaev are both considered plausible outcomes depending on how successfully Strickland can disengage from the fence
Saturday, May 9, 2026
