Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev in what many consider the upset of the year, his second major upset after previously beating Israel Adesanya. Strickland had been dismissed by many observers and was positioned as a feeder opponent for Chimaev's title shot. The fight followed a familiar pattern for Chimaev: dominant first-round grappling followed by cardio issues, similar to his bout with Kamaru Usman. Strickland won by split decision with scores of 3-2, employing his standard skillset without introducing new techniques. The author notes that Chimaev now appears ready to move up to light heavyweight (93 kg) rather than seeking a rematch. Nassourdine Imavov is suggested as a logical next challenger for Strickland's title.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
