According to media scoring, 13 out of 24 journalists scored the fight in favor of Khamzat Chimaev in his bout against Sean Strickland. This indicates the fight was competitive enough to divide media opinion nearly down the middle. The split scoring among journalists reflects the close nature of the contest. While the official result went to Strickland, nearly half of the credentialed media saw it differently. This discrepancy highlights the subjective nature of scoring competitive MMA fights.
A media scorecard tally from Sean Strickland's middleweight title defense against Khamzat Chimaev reveals just how contested the bout truly was, with 13 of 24 credentialed journalists scoring the fight for Chimaev despite the official result going to the champion.
Strickland, 35, holds a 31-7 record and continues his reign as UFC middleweight champion representing the United States out of Xtreme Couture. The six-foot-one orthodox striker is one of the most active fighters in the division, averaging 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute with a 76-inch reach that allows him to control range and volume throughout his bouts.
Chimaev, fighting out of the UAE and training at Allstars Training Center, entered the contest ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound with a 15-1 record. The 32-year-old stands six-foot-two and carries a devastating grappling game, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and a striking accuracy of 60 percent, suggesting he is both precise on the feet and relentless in his wrestling.
Why it matters
- Strickland retains the middleweight title, but nearly half the press row disagreed with the official decision
- Chimaev, ranked first in the division, now has a strong case for an immediate rematch based on the closeness of media perception
- The stylistic contrast between Strickland's high-volume striking and Chimaev's elite wrestling made round-by-round scoring genuinely difficult for ringside observers
- The split reflects ongoing debate about how judges weigh grappling control versus striking output in close championship rounds
