Sean Strickland's split decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 marked his second major upset in recent years after defeating Israel Adesanya. The fight followed a familiar pattern seen in Chimaev's bout against Kamaru Usman: dominant first-round grappling followed by cardio decline and increased striking exchanges. Strickland broke Chimaev's nose and maintained his standard fighting approach throughout. One judge, Sue Sanidad—making her first UFC appearance since 2014—controversially scored the fifth round for Chimaev, though most observers saw it as a clear 3-2 rounds for Strickland. The result leaves the middleweight division's landscape unchanged as Chimaev is expected to move up to light heavyweight, potentially facing Paulo Costa, while Strickland could defend against Nassourdine Imavov.
Sean Strickland claimed a split decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 on May 9, delivering what amounts to the second major upset of his career and retaining his standing atop the middleweight division.
The 35-year-old American, training out of Xtreme Couture, entered the fight with a 31-7-0 record and a 76-inch reach that has long served his pressure-heavy output game. Strickland lands 6.04 significant strikes per minute and throws constantly, rarely deviating from his approach regardless of what the opponent brings. He broke Chimaev's nose during the contest and controlled enough of the fight's rhythm to earn the nod on two of the three scorecards.
The bout drew parallels to Chimaev's earlier outing against Kamaru Usman, where sharp first-round grappling gave way to visible fatigue and a gradual shift toward trading on the feet. That pattern appeared to repeat itself at UFC 328, with Chimaev's early grappling dominance fading as the rounds progressed and Strickland's volume wearing him down.
One judge, Sue Sanidad — making her first UFC appearance since 2014 — scored the fifth round for Chimaev, a call that drew criticism from most observers who read the final frame as a clear Strickland round and the overall fight 3-2 in rounds for the champion.
Why it matters
- Strickland now has two signature upsets, previously defeating Israel Adesanya, who carries a 24-6-0 record and ranks eighth in the division
- Chimaev's cardio questions remain unresolved and are expected to push him toward a light heavyweight run, with Paulo Costa floated as a potential opponent
- Costa, ranked 13th at middleweight with a 16-4-0 record and a 58 percent striking accuracy, would represent a significant stylistic shift for Chimaev at a new weight class
- Strickland's next defense could come against Nassourdine Imavov, though nothing has been confirmed
Saturday, May 9, 2026
