Sean Strickland's split decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 marks his second major upset in recent years, following his win over Israel Adesanya. The detailed analysis suggests Strickland won clearly 3-2 on rounds, with surprise at the split decision. Judge Sue Sanidad, a BJJ instructor who last worked a UFC event in 2014, controversially scored the fifth round for Chimaev. The post notes Chimaev showed similarities to his Usman fight with a dominant first round followed by cardio issues. Strickland displayed his standard skill set with no new techniques, but Chimaev had no ultimate answers. Following the loss, Chimaev is reportedly moving up to light heavyweight, with Paulo Costa mentioned as a potential opponent. For Strickland, a rematch with Nassourdine Imavov is suggested as a logical next step, with Strickland now having six wins over current top-15 middleweights.
Sean Strickland turned in another landmark performance at UFC 328 on May 9, defeating Khamzat Chimaev by split decision to claim his second major upset victory in the middleweight division within the span of a few years.
Strickland, now 31-7-0, is the reigning middleweight champion and carries the kind of résumé that no longer allows rivals to dismiss him as a fluke. The 35-year-old from the United States, training out of Xtreme Couture, stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and brings relentless volume to every fight, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy. Analysis of the UFC 328 bout scored him a clear 3-2 winner on rounds, making the split decision verdict something of a surprise. Controversy centered on judge Sue Sanidad, a BJJ instructor whose last UFC assignment reportedly came in 2014, who scored the fifth round for Chimaev. Strickland showed no new techniques but, as he did against Israel Adesanya, proved his standard skill set was simply enough.
The pattern of this fight drew comparisons to Chimaev's previous outing against Kamaru Usman — a dominant opening round giving way to visible cardio problems as the fight progressed, leaving him without answers for Strickland's pressure. Strickland now holds six wins over current top-15 middleweights, a run that began with his stunning unanimous decision over Adesanya, who carries a 24-6-0 record and sits ranked eighth in the division at 36 years old.
Why it matters
- Strickland's second straight major upset cements his status as a legitimate long-term champion at 185 pounds
- Chimaev is reportedly moving up to light heavyweight following the loss, with Paulo Costa — ranked 13th at middleweight with a 16-4-0 record and an elite 58 percent striking accuracy — floated as a possible opponent at the new weight
- A rematch with Nassourdine Imavov has been suggested as the logical next assignment for Strickland at middleweight
Saturday, May 9, 2026
