The main intrigue for the Chimaev-Strickland fight centers on whether Strickland can successfully get back to his feet after takedowns. Sparring partners Luke Rockhold, Jorge Masvidal, and Sharaf Davlatmurodov all confirm Strickland is exceptionally difficult to keep down, with Davlatmurodov calling him the most uncomfortable opponent to control. Strickland doesn't rely on technical guard work but rather wrestling-based explosions and creating frames to stand. However, the analysis notes that Chimaev transitions three times faster between grappling positions than Du Plessis, cuts off hands, ties up legs, and constantly threatens submissions and ground-and-pound. The post suggests Chimaev will likely hold Strickland against the cage and drag him down, and questions whether Strickland can defend submissions and strikes while forcing Chimaev to expend more energy than Du Plessis did.
Sean Strickland carries his middleweight title into UFC 328 on May 9, and the central question surrounding his clash with Khamzat Chimaev is a simple one: can Strickland get back to his feet once Chimaev puts him on the canvas?
Strickland, 35, holds a 31-7-0 record and is the reigning middleweight champion. The Xtreme Couture product is an orthodox pressure fighter who throws at a high volume, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute, though his 42 percent accuracy reflects how much he lives on output rather than precision. His grappling offense is minimal — just 0.71 takedowns and 0.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes — meaning his path to victory almost certainly runs through keeping the fight standing.
Sparring partners Luke Rockhold, Jorge Masvidal, and Sharaf Davlatmurodov have each vouched for Strickland's ability to return to his feet after being taken down. Davlatmurodov reportedly described him as the most uncomfortable opponent to control on the ground. According to the analysis, Strickland does not lean on technical guard work. Instead, he uses wrestling-based explosions and frames to create separation and stand back up.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is assessed as transitioning between grappling positions three times faster than Dricus Du Plessis, who sits at 2-ranked middleweight and averages 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes
- Chimaev is said to cut off hands, tie up legs, and continuously threaten both submissions and ground-and-pound, presenting a more complex grappling puzzle than Strickland has previously faced
- If Strickland cannot get up consistently, he will need to survive submission threats and ground strikes while forcing Chimaev to burn more energy than Du Plessis did against him
- The fight may hinge on whether Strickland's scrambling instincts hold up against a grappler operating at a higher transition speed than anyone he has encountered in recent title defenses
Saturday, May 9, 2026
