Sean Strickland secured a split decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328, marking his second major upset in recent years after defeating Israel Adesanya. The author scored the fight 3-2 for Strickland, though judge Sue Sanidad scored the fifth round for Chimaev. Chimaev showed familiar patterns from his Kamaru Usman fight: dominant first-round wrestling followed by cardio decline and extended standup exchanges. Strickland displayed his standard skillset with no new techniques, but Chimaev lacked definitive answers to his approach. Post-fight, Chimaev expressed immediate interest in moving to light heavyweight rather than pursuing a rematch. For Strickland's next defense, a rematch with Nassourdine Imavov is suggested as logical, with Strickland now holding six wins over current top-15 middleweights. The author questioned the pre-fight reconciliation between the fighters after months of promoting intense rivalry.
Sean Strickland retained the UFC middleweight title with a split decision win over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 on May 9, pulling off what many are calling his second major upset in a short span of time.
Strickland, 35, carries a record of 31-7-0 and has now built a resume that includes six victories over current top-15 middleweights. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture operates from an orthodox stance and stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach. His output is relentless — 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute — and while his accuracy sits at 42 percent, the volume consistently pressures opponents into uncomfortable exchanges. He did not unveil anything new against Chimaev, relying on the same measured, high-output approach that earned him the belt, but it proved to be enough.
Chimaev, ranked first in the division and tenth pound-for-pound at 32 years old, came in with a record of 15-1-0. The UAE-based Allstars product is one of the most dangerous wrestlers in the sport, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes with a striking accuracy of 60 percent. But a pattern emerged that observers had noted in his fight against Kamaru Usman: early-round wrestling dominance followed by a visible cardio decline that pushed the fight into prolonged standup territory, where Strickland is most comfortable. One judge, Sue Sanidad, scored the fifth round for Chimaev, though the overall verdict favored Strickland by split decision.
Following the loss, Chimaev indicated interest in moving up to light heavyweight rather than seeking an immediate rematch, which raises questions about where the middleweight division's top contender picture goes from here.
Why it matters
- Strickland's second major upset cements his status as one of the division's most awkward stylistic puzzles
- Chimaev's post-fight comments about moving to light heavyweight could reshape the top of the 185-pound rankings
- A rematch with Nassourdine Imavov has been floated as the logical next title defense for Strickland
- Questions linger about the authenticity of the fighters' pre-fight reconciliation after months of intense rivalry promotion
Saturday, May 9, 2026
