Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328 in a major upset, marking his second shocking victory after previously defeating Israel Adesanya. The fight saw Chimaev dominate the first round with wrestling before experiencing cardio issues, similar to his bout against Kamaru Usman. Strickland displayed his typical technical striking approach while Chimaev struggled to maintain his early pace over five rounds. One judge, Sue Sanidad (a BJJ instructor who hadn't worked a UFC event since 2014), controversially scored the fifth round for Chimaev, resulting in a split decision rather than unanimous verdict. Following the loss, Chimaev has indicated plans to move up to light heavyweight rather than pursue an immediate rematch.
Sean Strickland retained the UFC middleweight title with a split-decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, delivering one of the most surprising results the division has seen in years.
Strickland, 35, entered the fight as champion with a record of 31-7-0, representing the United States out of Xtreme Couture. The six-foot-one orthodox striker carries a 76-inch reach and has built his reputation on high-volume, technically precise standup work, averaging 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute. The win marks his second major upset victory, following his stunning defeat of former champion Israel Adesanya.
Chimaev, 32, came in ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound with a record of 15-1-0, fighting out of Allstars Training Center. The six-foot-two Emirati standout is one of the most dominant wrestlers in the sport, averaging an extraordinary 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 60 percent. He controlled the opening round with his grappling, but reportedly faded as the fight progressed into the championship rounds, echoing cardio concerns that surfaced during his previous bout against Kamaru Usman.
Strickland's ability to weather the early storm and impose his technical striking over five rounds proved decisive for two of the three judges. The split decision itself drew scrutiny after judge Sue Sanidad, identified as a BJJ instructor who had not worked a UFC event since 2014, scored the fifth round in Chimaev's favor.
Why it matters
- Strickland's title defense solidifies his standing as one of the most resilient champions in middleweight history
- Chimaev's first professional loss at 15-1-0 raises questions about his path back to a title shot
- A reported move to light heavyweight by Chimaev would shake up two divisions simultaneously
- The judging controversy surrounding Sanidad is likely to renew scrutiny of UFC judge selection and qualification standards
Saturday, May 9, 2026
