Tale of the tape released for Chimaev vs. Strickland at UFC 328

TNT Sports has released a tale-of-the-tape comparison graphic for the UFC 328 middleweight clash between champion Sean Strickland and top contender Khamzat Chimaev, inviting fans to weigh in on which fighter has built the stronger resume heading into their featured bout.

Strickland, known as "Tarzan," enters the contest as the reigning middleweight champion, carrying a 31-7-0 record at 35 years old. The American out of Xtreme Couture stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance. He is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute, though his 42 percent striking accuracy reflects a volume-heavy approach. His grappling output is modest by comparison, averaging 0.71 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Chimaev, nicknamed "Borz," arrives as the number-one ranked middleweight and the number-ten pound-for-pound fighter in the world, holding a 15-1-0 record at age 32. The UAE-based Swede fighting out of Allstars Training Center stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach. Where Strickland overwhelms opponents with output, Chimaev relies on precision and wrestling, posting a striking accuracy of 60 percent along with a dominant 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Strickland puts his middleweight title on the line against the division's top-ranked challenger
• The stylistic contrast is sharp: Chimaev's elite grappling volume against Strickland's relentless striking output
• A Chimaev win would place him atop the 185-pound division while also boosting his pound-for-pound standing
• The strength-of-schedule debate fueled by the TNT Sports graphic reflects genuine uncertainty about which fighter has been tested more thoroughly