A detailed analysis of the UFC 328 main event suggests Sean Strickland's victory over Khamzat Chimaev was a clear 3-2 rounds decision, with some surprise at the split decision. The analysis notes that Chimaev showed familiar patterns from his Usman fight: dominant first-round wrestling followed by cardio decline, leading to more striking exchanges and weakened wrestling later. Strickland displayed nothing new but his standard skillset proved sufficient, as Chimaev had no ultimate answers for it. The piece questions the pre-fight handshake and friendly gestures after months of heated promotion, particularly Chimaev saying "I love you" during the fight while fatigued. Following the loss, Chimaev is ready to move up to light heavyweight, with a potential matchup against Paulo Costa mentioned. For Strickland, a rematch with Nassourdine Imavov is suggested as a logical next step, with Strickland now holding six victories over current top-15 ranked opponents.
Post-fight analysis of UFC 328's main event has concluded that Sean Strickland's middleweight title defense against Khamzat Chimaev on May 9 was a clearer outcome than the split decision suggested, with reviewers scoring the bout three rounds to two in Strickland's favor.
Strickland, now 31-7-0, retains the middleweight championship at 35 years old. The American out of Xtreme Couture brings a relentless output style to every fight, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute, and his 76-inch reach at six-foot-one gives him the frame to operate effectively at distance. The analysis notes he introduced nothing new — his standard pressure and volume work proved enough against the division's top-ranked contender.
Chimaev, ranked first at middleweight and tenth pound-for-pound, entered the fight at 14-1-0 and fell to 15-1-0 following the defeat. The 32-year-old from the UAE and Allstars Training Center is one of the sport's most dangerous wrestlers, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, but the analysis drew direct comparisons to his fight with Kamaru Usman, identifying a now-familiar arc: wrestling dominance early, followed by a notable drop in conditioning that allowed more striking exchanges in the championship rounds. Despite a 60 percent striking accuracy mark, Chimaev's output thins considerably when his cardio fades.
The piece also flagged the contrast between months of hostile pre-fight promotion and Chimaev reportedly saying "I love you" to Strickland during the later rounds while visibly fatigued — a moment the analysis found difficult to square with the buildup.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's cardio limitations have now surfaced in multiple high-level fights, raising genuine questions about his ceiling against elite opposition
- Strickland now holds six victories over current top-15 ranked opponents, reinforcing his legitimacy as champion
- A potential Chimaev move to light heavyweight is floated, with Paulo Costa mentioned as a possible middleweight opponent for Strickland
- Costa, ranked 13th at middleweight and averaging 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute at 58 percent accuracy, would present a high-output striking matchup against the champion
Saturday, May 9, 2026
