Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328 to reclaim the middleweight championship. The author scored it 3-2 for Strickland and was surprised by the split decision, noting judge Sue Sanidad gave the fifth round to Chimaev. Chimaev showed cardio issues similar to his fight with Usman, dominating the first round before fading. The author notes that Chimaev is now ready to move to light heavyweight and that a matchup with Paulo Costa is available. For Strickland, a rematch with Nassourdine Imavov is suggested as a logical next step.
Sean Strickland reclaimed the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 328 on May 9, defeating Khamzat Chimaev by split decision in what proved to be a competitive and closely contested five-round fight.
Strickland, 35, now holds a 31-7-0 professional record and returns to the top of the middleweight division with a style built on relentless volume striking. The American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, lands 6.04 significant strikes per minute and carries a 76-inch reach that allows him to control distance and pile up output over championship rounds. The victory was not without controversy — judge Sue Sanidad scored the fifth round for Chimaev, contributing to the split decision result, though a round-by-round assessment favored Strickland three rounds to two.
Chimaev, the number-one ranked middleweight and a top-ten pound-for-pound fighter at 32 years old, slipped to 15-1-0. The Allstars Training Center product dominated the opening round and brought his usual elite grappling threat — averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes — but reportedly encountered the same cardio problems that surfaced in his earlier fight with Kamaru Usman, fading as the fight wore on. His 60 percent striking accuracy remained a weapon, but it was not enough to secure the championship.
Why it matters
- Strickland's win reunites the belt with one of the division's most active and durable fighters, setting up compelling rematches and new challengers.
- A move to light heavyweight has been floated for Chimaev following his second visible conditioning setback, which could reshape the middleweight rankings significantly.
- Thirteenth-ranked Paulo Costa, who lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, has been identified as a potential opponent for Chimaev if he remains at 185 pounds.
- A rematch between Strickland and Nassourdine Imavov has been mentioned as a logical title defense for the newly crowned champion.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
