Khamzat Chimaev suffers first loss, drops from undefeated list

Khamzat Chimaev's perfect professional record came to an end at UFC 328 on May 9, when Sean Strickland defeated him by split decision, ending one of the most celebrated unbeaten runs in recent MMA history.

Chimaev, known as "Borz," entered the fight at 15-0 and ranked number one in the middleweight division, with a place at number ten on the pound-for-pound list. The 32-year-old fighter representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center had built his reputation on suffocating grappling pressure, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and an exceptional 60 percent striking accuracy. His loss drops him to 15-1 and removes him from the ranks of undefeated fighters with more than ten professional wins competing in major promotions.

Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, moves to 31-7 with the victory. The 35-year-old American out of Xtreme Couture is one of the busiest strikers in the division, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach that allows him to operate effectively at range. The split decision result underlines just how close the contest was between two of the division's elite.

Elsewhere on the UFC 328 card, Baysangur Susurkaev improved to 12-0 with a submission victory over Joanderson Brito. The Brazilian Brito, who fights out of Chute Boxe Joao Emilio, falls to 18-5-1 with the defeat.

Why it matters

• Chimaev's first professional loss reshapes the middleweight division's contender picture, with the number one ranked fighter now carrying a blemish heading into any future title conversation.
• Strickland's successful defense against the division's top-ranked challenger strengthens his position as middleweight champion.
• The updated undefeated list now features Movlid Khaybulaev (24-0-1-1NC), Usman Nurmagomedov (21-0-1NC), Movsar Evloev (20-0), and Ilia Topuria (17-0) as the standout names across major global promotions.