Chimaev drops from undefeated fighters list after Strickland loss

Khamzat Chimaev's name has been removed from the list of active undefeated fighters with more than ten wins following his split decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026. The defeat leaves Chimaev with a professional record of 15-1 and ends one of the most closely watched unbeaten runs in recent MMA history.

Chimaev, 32, competes at middleweight out of Allstars Training Center and represents the United Arab Emirates. Ranked first in the division and tenth pound-for-pound, "Borz" had built his reputation on a suffocating combination of elite wrestling and sharp striking. He averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands significant strikes at a 60 percent accuracy rate — numbers that made him one of the sport's most feared prospects heading into the contest.

Standing across from him was the man who handed him that first loss: Sean Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion. "Tarzan" brings a 31-7 record and fights out of Xtreme Couture. The 35-year-old American is one of the division's highest-volume strikers, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with his orthodox stance and a 76-inch reach. His relentless output and championship experience proved to be the difference on the judges' scorecards.

Why it matters

• Chimaev drops off the active undefeated list for fighters with more than ten wins, a status he had held as one of its most prominent members
• As the division's top-ranked contender, Chimaev's first career loss reshapes the middleweight landscape and raises questions about the path forward for both fighters
• The style matchup pitted Chimaev's wrestling-heavy pressure against Strickland's high-volume boxing, with the champion's striking volume ultimately earning the decision