An in-depth technical analysis examines whether Sean Strickland can get back to his feet after being taken down by Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328. Multiple training partners and opponents have commented on Strickland's ability to stand up from bottom position. Luke Rockhold stated that Strickland is incredibly difficult to hold down despite not being technically elite in grappling. Jorge Masvidal confirmed seeing Strickland work with heavyweights and consistently get back up. Sharaf Davlatmurodov, who trained extensively with Strickland, said he couldn't hold him down and that Strickland excels at breaking grips and creating frames rather than using technical guard work. The analysis references Strickland's fights with Dricus Du Plessis (where he got up after six takedowns) and an old bout with Kamaru Usman (where Usman controlled him for 4.5 minutes). The conclusion suggests Chimaev will likely hold Strickland against the cage and finish him, though if Strickland proves stronger than expected in grappling, Chimaev may shift to striking and win on points.
A technical breakdown published ahead of UFC 328 has put a spotlight on one of the fight's central questions: can Sean Strickland consistently get back to his feet after being taken down by Khamzat Chimaev?
Strickland, 35, enters the middleweight title defense carrying a 31-7 record and one of the most active striking outputs in the division at 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute. The champion stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and trains out of Xtreme Couture. His takedown offense is modest at 0.71 per 15 minutes, and his submission attempt rate of just 0.2 per 15 minutes underscores that the ground is not where he looks to operate.
The analysis leans heavily on testimony from training partners and past opponents. Luke Rockhold, the 41-year-old former middleweight champion with a 16-6 record out of American Kickboxing Academy, stated that Strickland is remarkably difficult to hold down despite not possessing technically elite grappling. Jorge Masvidal confirmed watching Strickland train with heavyweights and routinely get back to a standing position. Sharaf Davlatmurodov, who spent significant time training alongside Strickland, said he was unable to keep him pinned, crediting Strickland's ability to break grips and build frames rather than any sophisticated guard work.
The piece draws on two key data points from Strickland's fight history. Against Dricus Du Plessis — currently ranked second in the middleweight division with a 23-3 record and 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes — Strickland reportedly returned to his feet after six takedowns. An earlier bout with Kamaru Usman told a different story, with Usman keeping Strickland grounded for roughly four and a half minutes.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's wrestling presents the clearest path to stopping Strickland's high-volume striking attack
- Strickland's scramble ability, vouched for by multiple credible sources, complicates simple grappling game plans
- If Strickland's frames and grip-breaks hold up, Chimaev may be forced into a striking exchange where the champion is most dangerous
Saturday, May 9, 2026
