Chimaev personally places championship belt on Strickland after UFC 328

Khamzat Chimaev personally fastened the middleweight championship belt around Sean Strickland's waist in a striking display of sportsmanship following their bout at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026. Video of the moment was shared by UFC Eurasia, capturing what was described as a genuine gesture of respect between two of the division's most formidable competitors.

Strickland, 35, defended his middleweight title carrying a record of 31-7-0 into the night. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture is one of the busiest strikers in the division, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute while working behind a 76-inch reach. Known by his nickname "Tarzan," the six-foot-one orthodox fighter has built his career on relentless forward pressure and volume.

Chimaev entered the contest as the number-one ranked middleweight contender and number ten pound-for-pound fighter in the world, bringing a 15-1-0 record and a reputation as one of the sport's most complete threats. The 32-year-old representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center carries elite grappling credentials, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a 60 percent striking accuracy — among the highest in the sport.

Why it matters

• Strickland retaining the belt keeps the middleweight title picture in flux, with Chimaev having exhausted his position as the division's top contender
• The moment of Chimaev placing the belt on Strickland signals a level of mutual acknowledgment rarely seen after a high-stakes championship fight
• Both fighters share an orthodox stance and overlapping physical dimensions, suggesting their contest was a closely contested war before the final result
• Chimaev's pound-for-pound ranking and near-flawless record ensure he remains central to the division's future regardless of the outcome