Khamzat Chimaev has once again addressed Sean Strickland on social media following Strickland's victory at UFC 328. This marks another chapter in their ongoing rivalry, with Chimaev taking to social platforms to respond after losing a closely contested fight. The exact nature of Chimaev's message was not detailed in the original post. This continues the back-and-forth between the two middleweights that has persisted through their fight promotion and beyond. Details of what Chimaev specifically said remain limited in this report.
Khamzat Chimaev took to social media on Sunday to call out middleweight champion Sean Strickland, two days after Strickland defeated him at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026. The callout adds another layer to an already heated rivalry between the two fighters, extending a back-and-forth that carried through the buildup to their fight and has now continued past it.
Strickland, 35, enters the post-fight period with his middleweight title intact and his record standing at 31-7-0. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture is known for relentless forward pressure, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach that allows him to dictate range against most opponents. The victory over the division's top-ranked contender represents one of the defining defenses of his championship run.
Chimaev, 32, now sits at 15-1-0 after absorbing his second professional loss. The UAE-based Allstars Training Center product entered the bout ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound, carrying one of the most dominant all-around stat profiles in the sport — a 60 percent striking accuracy, 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, and 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes. The closely contested nature of the fight, as described in reports, suggests Chimaev remains a legitimate threat at 185 pounds despite the defeat.
The specific wording of Chimaev's social media message has not been detailed in available reports, though the callout signals he has no intention of stepping away from his pursuit of Strickland and the middleweight title.
Why it matters
- Strickland successfully defended the middleweight title against the division's top contender, reinforcing his position at the top of the 185-pound rankings.
- Chimaev's immediate callout keeps him in the title conversation despite the loss, given how competitive the bout reportedly was.
- A rematch between two orthodox middleweights with contrasting styles — Strickland's volume striking versus Chimaev's grappling-heavy approach — would carry significant divisional weight.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
