13 of 24 journalists scored Chimaev over Strickland

Thirteen of 24 media members who submitted scorecards for the UFC 328 main event had Khamzat Chimaev defeating Sean Strickland, according to a compiled tally published following the May 9 event. The judges, however, awarded Strickland a split decision victory, highlighting just how divided observers were on the night.

Strickland, 35, retained the middleweight championship with the win, improving his professional record to 31-7-0. The American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture and carries a 76-inch reach, is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute. His output-heavy, pressure-based style has long made him a difficult fighter to judge, particularly when opponents attempt to slow the pace through wrestling.

Chimaev, fighting out of Allstars Training Center, entered the contest as the division's number-one ranked contender and holds a top-ten pound-for-pound position. The 32-year-old carries a 15-1-0 record and presents a uniquely dangerous blend of striking accuracy and elite grappling. He connects on 60 percent of his significant strikes and averages an imposing 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, along with 1.8 submission attempts in the same window.

Why it matters

• The near-even media split suggests genuine ambiguity in how rounds were scored, particularly where Chimaev's grappling control was weighed against Strickland's striking output
• The split decision result keeps the middleweight title picture unsettled, with 13 of 24 journalists believing the belt changed hands
• The divide between striking volume and grappling dominance as judging criteria was central to the differing interpretations across all 24 scorecards