Sean Strickland has defeated Hamzat Chimaev by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47) to become the new UFC middleweight champion. The analyst expressed confusion about what happened to Chimaev in the middle of the second round when he suddenly fell to his back, though Chimaev fought afterward in a way that didn't suggest he had suffered an injury. Chimaev appeared to conserve energy in the third round and didn't pursue wrestling at all. The analyst noted that Chimaev did not approach this fight as well-prepared functionally as he was for his bout with Du Plessis, possibly due to issues with his weight cut. Everything was going well for Chimaev initially, with 4 minutes and 44 seconds of control time in the first round, making the second-round incident particularly puzzling.
Sean Strickland reclaimed the UFC middleweight title on May 10, 2026, defeating Khamzat Chimaev by split decision with scores of 47-48, 48-47, and 48-47 in one of the division's most anticipated matchups in recent memory.
Strickland, now 31-7, returns to the top of the 185-pound division at age 35. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture carries a relentless output-based game, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach that helps him control range from his orthodox stance. He is not a frequent grappler, averaging fewer than one takedown per 15 minutes, but his ability to survive pressure and grind through adversity has defined his championship runs.
The fight's defining mystery came midway through the second round when Chimaev abruptly dropped to his back without any apparent finishing sequence from Strickland. Analysts noted confusion over the incident, as Chimaev continued fighting afterward without obvious signs of injury. The opening round had looked strong for Chimaev, who accumulated four minutes and 44 seconds of control time through wrestling, suggesting a game plan built around dominating grappling exchanges.
That blueprint appeared to dissolve as the fight progressed. Chimaev did not pursue wrestling in the third round and seemed to conserve energy rather than press his physical advantages. Observers pointed to a potentially difficult weight cut as a contributing factor, suggesting he was not as functionally prepared as he had been for his previous outing against Dricus du Plessis.
Why it matters
- Strickland recaptures the middleweight title, making him a two-time champion in the division
- Chimaev's unbeaten mystique takes its first loss, reshaping the 185-pound landscape significantly
- Questions around Chimaev's weight cut and the second-round incident will likely drive conversation around a potential rematch
