13 of 24 journalists scored Chimaev-Strickland fight for Chimaev

A razor-thin split decision at UFC 328 on May 9 handed Sean Strickland a victory over Khamzat Chimaev, but the official result masked deep disagreement among the media corps covering the middleweight title fight. Of 24 journalists who submitted scorecards, 13 sided with Chimaev — a near-even split that underscores just how contested the bout was round by round.

Strickland, 35, entered the cage as the reigning middleweight champion carrying a 31-7 record. The American out of Xtreme Couture has built his reputation on relentless forward pressure and volume output, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a six-foot-one frame and a 76-inch reach. The judges ultimately ruled in his favor, extending his championship reign despite the closeness of the bout.

Chimaev, fighting out of Allstars Training Center, came in as the division's top-ranked contender and the number-ten fighter on the pound-for-pound list. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates, brought a 15-1 record and one of the most imposing grappling profiles in the sport — 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and a 60 percent striking accuracy that reflects his ability to pick his shots with precision. Thirteen of the 24 media scorers believed those qualities were enough to dethrone the champion.

Why it matters

• The near-even media split raises legitimate questions about the judging criteria applied to what was clearly a close, competitive fight
• Chimaev's loss, just the second of his career, does little to diminish his standing as the division's top contender and almost certainly keeps a rematch conversation alive
• Strickland retains the middleweight title, but the split verdict means his grip on the division remains a talking point heading into whatever comes next