A detailed analysis of Sean Strickland's split decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 notes that Strickland defied expectations for the second time, previously upsetting Israel Adesanya. The fight revealed familiar patterns from Chimaev's bout with Kamaru Usman: dominant first-round wrestling followed by cardio decline. The analyst scored it clearly 3-2 for Strickland and was surprised by the split decision. Chimaev is now planning to move up to light heavyweight where he'll face bigger opponents like Paulo Costa. For Strickland, a rematch with Nassourdine Imavov is seen as logical, with the American now holding six wins over current top-15 middleweights. The post questions why both fighters showed friendliness during the bout after months of heated buildup.
Sean Strickland pulled off another stunning split decision victory at UFC 328 on May 9, defeating Khamzat Chimaev in a fight that analysts are now picking apart for what it reveals about both men's futures in the sport.
For Strickland, the win represents a second major upset achievement. The 35-year-old American out of Xtreme Couture, who stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, previously shocked the division by dethroning Israel Adesanya. Now sitting at 31-7-0 and retaining his middleweight championship, Strickland has quietly assembled six victories over fighters ranked inside the current top 15 at middleweight. He lands 6.04 significant strikes per minute, and his relentless volume in the championship rounds proved decisive once again.
The bout drew comparisons to Chimaev's prior outing against Kamaru Usman, where a dominant opening round gave way to a visible fade in output as the fight progressed. One prominent analyst scored the contest 3-2 in Strickland's favor and expressed surprise at the split rather than a more decisive verdict on the cards.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's cardio limitations have now surfaced across multiple high-level bouts, raising serious questions about his ceiling at middleweight
- Chimaev is reportedly planning a move to light heavyweight, where a name like Paulo Costa — ranked 13th at middleweight with a 16-4-0 record and a 58 percent striking accuracy — has been mentioned as a potential opponent
- Strickland's most logical next step appears to be a rematch with Nassourdine Imavov, a fight that would carry meaningful divisional weight given the champion's recent run
- Observers have noted an unexpected cordiality between the two fighters during the bout, a sharp contrast to a buildup defined by months of public animosity
Saturday, May 9, 2026
