Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev by split decision with scorecards of 47-48, 48-47, and 48-47 to capture the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 328. The analyst noted a puzzling moment in the second round when Chimaev suddenly fell to his back mid-fight, though he showed no signs of injury in subsequent rounds. Chimaev appeared to conserve energy in the third round and avoided engaging in wrestling exchanges entirely. The analysis suggests Chimaev was not as well-conditioned for this fight as he was for his bout against Dricus du Plessis, potentially due to difficulties with the weight cut. Chimaev controlled the fight for 4 minutes and 44 seconds in the first round before the mysterious second-round incident changed the trajectory of the bout. The victory marks a significant upset and represents Strickland's return to championship status in the division.
Sean Strickland reclaimed the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 328 on May 9, defeating Khamzat Chimaev by split decision with scorecards of 47-48, 48-47, and 48-47 in what stands as one of the division's most surprising title changes in recent memory.
Strickland, now 31-7-0, returns to the top of the middleweight division at 35 years old. Fighting out of Xtreme Couture, the American southpaw-turned-orthodox striker is one of the busiest volume punchers in the division, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute, and re-establishes himself as champion at six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach.
Chimaev entered the bout as the number-one-ranked middleweight and the tenth-ranked fighter pound-for-pound, carrying a 15-1-0 record and a reputation as one of the sport's most complete wrestlers. At six-foot-two with a 60 percent striking accuracy and 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, the UAE-based Swede was considered a formidable threat. However, the fight unfolded in unusual fashion. Chimaev controlled the opening round for four minutes and 44 seconds before a puzzling incident in the second round — in which he suddenly dropped to his back with no apparent injury — shifted the momentum of the bout. He appeared to conserve energy in the third round and avoided wrestling exchanges entirely, raising questions about his conditioning heading into the fight. Analysis of the performance suggested the weight cut may have been a more significant factor here than it was during his previous bout against Dricus du Plessis.
Why it matters
- Strickland's victory represents his second run as middleweight champion, making him one of the more unlikely two-time titleholders in the division's history.
- Chimaev's performance, particularly the second-round incident and reduced grappling output, will fuel questions about his weight-cut process and long-term viability at 185 pounds.
- With du Plessis ranked second in the division at 23-3-0, the title picture at middleweight is set for a compelling shake-up following this result.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
