If Khamzat Chimaev defeats Sean Strickland at UFC 328, he will complete a historic 10-fight UFC winning streak that includes victories over four UFC champions. The streak began with three wins in 66 days, including two in 10 days, both absolute records in modern UFC history. The final four wins would all be against UFC champions: three at their peak (Whittaker, Du Plessis, Strickland) and one slightly past it (Usman). The author particularly highlights Chimaev's dominant performances against Whittaker, Holland, and Li Jingliang, calling them "video game level" victories. Despite this optimistic outlook, the author admits to having some late concerns about the upcoming Strickland fight, worrying that Chimaev might struggle with takedowns and tire himself out.
Khamzat Chimaev stands on the verge of one of the most remarkable runs in UFC history, with a potential victory over Sean Strickland at UFC 328 set to complete a 10-fight winning streak inside the organization that includes four fighters who held UFC gold.
The streak's foundation was laid at a pace no one in the modern era has matched. Chimaev opened his UFC account with three wins in 66 days, including two in just 10 days — both absolute records in the promotion's contemporary history. What has followed is a body of work that few fighters at any weight class can rival.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, enters UFC 328 carrying a record of 31-7-0. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, is one of the division's most relentless volume strikers, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute. He stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and operates out of an orthodox stance. A win here would represent the defining scalp of Chimaev's run — a champion at the peak of his reign.
Dricus Du Plessis, ranked second in the middleweight division and seventh pound-for-pound at 32 years old, is among the four champions reportedly included in Chimaev's streak. The South African operates out of a switch stance and lands 5.18 significant strikes per minute while also averaging 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most complete fighters in the division.
Kevin Holland, whose 29-15-0 record and six-foot-three frame with an 81-inch reach made him a credible measuring stick, was among the opponents described as a showcase of Chimaev's most dominant work — performances characterized as operating at a level beyond normal competition.
Why it matters
- A completed 10-fight streak featuring four champions would stand as one of the most decorated runs in UFC middleweight history
- Three of the four champion victories would come against fighters at or near their peak, amplifying the significance of the record
- Concerns about Chimaev's takedown efficiency and potential fatigue against Strickland's volume striking add genuine uncertainty to whether the streak reaches its landmark conclusion
Saturday, May 9, 2026
