Khamzat Chimaev stands on the verge of a remarkable 10-fight UFC win streak if he defeats Sean Strickland at UFC 328. The streak would be historic because it began with three wins in just 66 days, including two victories in 10 days, both absolute records in modern UFC history. The final four wins in this streak came against former UFC champions, three of whom were near their peaks. The author notes that such achievements are defined not just by whom a fighter beats, but how they do it, citing Chimaev's dominant performances against Whittaker, Holland, and Li Jingliang. However, the author expresses some concern heading into the Strickland fight, imagining scenarios where Chimaev might struggle to secure takedowns or waste energy on unsuccessful attempts.
Khamzat Chimaev enters UFC 328 on May 9 with a chance to accomplish something no fighter has managed in the modern era of the sport — a 10-fight UFC win streak built on some of the most dominant performances the promotion has ever seen.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," carries a 15-1 record into the middleweight title fight. The 32-year-old from the United Arab Emirates is ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound, training out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden. His run is defined as much by how he wins as by whom he beats — a striking accuracy of 60 percent and an extraordinary 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes paint a picture of complete, suffocating control. The streak began with three wins in just 66 days, including two victories in a 10-day span, both absolute records in modern UFC history. The final four victories came against former UFC champions, three of whom were near the peak of their careers. Dominant outings against Robert Whittaker, Kevin Holland, and Li Jingliang stand as centerpieces of that run.
Standing across from Chimaev will be Sean "Tarzan" Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion. The 35-year-old American out of Xtreme Couture carries a 31-7 record and a six-foot-one, 193-centimeter frame paired with a 76-inch reach. Strickland is one of the busiest strikers in the division, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute, and he presents a high-volume orthodox problem that has troubled opponents for years.
Why it matters
- A Chimaev victory would establish a 10-fight UFC win streak, a historic benchmark in the modern era
- The four most recent wins against former champions elevate the quality of the streak beyond raw numbers
- Strickland's 6.04 significant strikes per minute could test Chimaev's ability to close distance and convert his elite 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes
- Analysts have raised the question of whether failed takedown attempts could drain Chimaev's energy against a tireless, high-output striker
Saturday, May 9, 2026
