Following the controversial UFC 328 main event, media scorecards revealed a split verdict among journalists covering the bout. Of 24 media members who submitted official scorecards, 13 scored the fight in favor of Khamzat Chimaev, while the remainder gave it to new champion Sean Strickland. The judges awarded Strickland a split decision victory to reclaim the middleweight title. The close media scoring reflects the competitive nature of the five-round contest, which saw Chimaev dominate early before fading in later rounds.
A split decision at UFC 328 handed Sean Strickland the middleweight title for a second time, but the media scorecard tally made clear just how razor-thin the margin truly was. Of 24 journalists who submitted official scorecards for the main event, 13 scored the fight for Khamzat Chimaev, leaving 11 in Strickland's corner. The judges sided with Strickland, awarding him the split decision and the championship belt.
Strickland, 35, now holds a 31-7-0 record and reclaims the middleweight throne he previously lost. The American orthodox fighter out of Xtreme Couture stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and carries one of the busiest outputs in the division, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy. His ability to absorb pressure and sustain output over five rounds has long defined his championship credentials.
Chimaev, representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, entered UFC 328 as the top-ranked middleweight contender and sits at number ten in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 32-year-old now absorbs his first professional loss, falling to 15-1-0. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, "Borz" is among the most efficient strikers in the sport at 60 percent accuracy, and his grappling is equally dangerous — he averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes. The summary notes he controlled the early rounds before fading late, a dynamic that likely influenced how individual scorecards diverged.
Why it matters
- Strickland's reclaimed title sets up fresh title defense scenarios at 185 pounds
- Chimaev's first career loss at 15-1-0 raises questions about his immediate path back to contention
- The near-even media split suggests a rematch conversation will be difficult to avoid
- Contrasting styles — Strickland's volume striking versus Chimaev's elite grappling — produced a competitive five-round fight that divided both judges and press row
