Gilbert Burns shared his opinion on the UFC 328 main event between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland. Burns gave the victory to Chimaev in his assessment of the fight. The post included a poll asking followers whether they agreed with Burns' scoring or believed it was a clear Strickland win. No specific reasoning for Burns' pick was included in the original statement. The post reflects ongoing debate about the close split decision outcome.
Gilbert Burns has weighed in on the UFC 328 main event that took place on May 9, publicly siding with Khamzat Chimaev over Sean Strickland in what was decided by split decision.
Burns, the 39-year-old Brazilian welterweight ranked thirteenth in his division, shared his assessment alongside a poll asking followers whether they agreed with his take or considered Strickland the clear winner. No detailed breakdown accompanied Burns' pick, but the post reflects the widespread disagreement surrounding the bout's outcome.
Strickland, the 35-year-old American middleweight champion out of Xtreme Couture, carries a 31-7 record and a six-foot-one frame with a 76-inch reach. He is one of the busiest strikers in the division, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute, and came into the fight defending his title against a dangerous challenger.
That challenger, Chimaev, is the number-one ranked middleweight and sits tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. The 32-year-old fighting out of the UAE holds a 15-1 record and brings an elite blend of striking and wrestling. His 60 percent striking accuracy is among the highest in the sport, and he averages 5.29 takedowns per fifteen minutes, giving opponents problems standing and on the mat alike.
Why it matters
- The split decision result has left fans and fighters divided, with Burns adding a notable voice to the debate.
- Chimaev's number-one ranking and top-ten pound-for-pound status made this a genuine title-contender collision.
- The outcome carries significant divisional weight, as it shapes the middleweight title picture heading forward.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
