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 responding publicly after losing a split decision to Strickland. The callout comes despite Chimaev having just been defeated by Strickland in their middleweight title fight. The nature and tone of Chimaev's message were not detailed in the post. This social media exchange continues the back-and-forth between the two fighters that characterized their pre-fight buildup.
Khamzat Chimaev took to social media in the days following UFC 328 to call out Sean Strickland, despite having just fallen to the middleweight champion via split decision at the event on May 9, 2026.
Strickland, nicknamed "Tarzan," successfully defended his middleweight title to improve to 31-7-0. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, is known for an aggressive output-based style, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach that allows him to control range consistently throughout his fights.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," entered UFC 328 as the number-one-ranked middleweight contender and the tenth-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The 32-year-old, representing the United Arab Emirates out of Allstars Training Center, carries a 15-1-0 record and brings an elite grappling threat to every fight, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His 60 percent striking accuracy also ranks among the best in the division.
The specific wording of Chimaev's post was not disclosed, though the callout extends a back-and-forth that had defined the lead-up to their title fight.
Why it matters
- Strickland retaining the title with a split decision leaves the result open to debate, which likely fuels Chimaev's public response
- Chimaev, as the former number-one contender with a near-flawless record, remains the most credible challenger in the middleweight division
- A rematch would pit Strickland's high-volume striking against Chimaev's elite wrestling and finishing ability, a stylistic tension that was unresolved by a split verdict
- The ongoing social media exchange keeps both fighters in the public conversation as the division's next challenger is determined
Saturday, May 9, 2026
