Sean Strickland's upset victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 followed a similar pattern to Chimaev's fight against Kamaru Usman, with early wrestling dominance followed by cardio issues. Strickland employed his standard skill set throughout the fight, breaking Chimaev's nose and proving the favorite had no definitive answers. The scoring was relatively clear at 3-2 rounds for Strickland, though one judge Sue Sanidad controversially scored the fifth round for Chimaev. Chimaev is now planning to move up to light heavyweight, while Strickland's next logical opponent appears to be Nassourdine Imavov in a rematch. The pre-fight animosity between the fighters was undermined when they smiled and shook hands before the bout, with Chimaev even telling Strickland "I Love You" mid-fight.
Sean Strickland retained the middleweight championship at UFC 328 on May 9 with a 3-2 decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev, a result that drew comparisons to Chimaev's earlier bout against Kamaru Usman in its structural pattern of early promise fading against sustained pressure.
Strickland, 35, is now 31-7 and continues his reign as middleweight champion representing Xtreme Couture out of the United States. Fighting out of an orthodox stance at six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, "Tarzan" is one of the most active strikers in the division, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute. His output and durability proved central to the fight's narrative, as Chimaev's conditioning appeared to erode in the championship rounds. Strickland broke Chimaev's nose during the contest and the challenger, despite his wrestling credentials, never found a definitive answer.
Chimaev, 32, entered the fight ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound, carrying a 15-1 record for Allstars Training Center. The Borz is a formidable grappler averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes with a striking accuracy of 60 percent, but those tools did not sustain over the full five rounds. He is now reported to be targeting a move to light heavyweight following the defeat.
The single notable judging controversy came when Sue Sanidad scored the fifth round for Chimaev, a call that sat at odds with the broader consensus on the round's outcome. Any bad blood between the two fighters appeared to dissolve at the start of the bout, when they exchanged smiles and a handshake, with Chimaev reportedly telling Strickland "I Love You" during the fight itself.
Why it matters
- Strickland's ability to neutralize elite wrestling over five rounds reinforces his credentials as a durable, high-volume champion
- Chimaev's cardio questions at middleweight now appear serious enough to push him toward light heavyweight
- A rematch between Strickland and Nassourdine Imavov — ranked first at middleweight at 17-4 — emerges as the most logical next title defence
Saturday, May 9, 2026
