Sean Strickland's victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 marks his second major upset after defeating Adesanya, defying expectations as many considered him past his prime. The fight revealed familiar patterns from Chimaev's bout with Usman: a dominant first round followed by cardio decline and increased reliance on striking. Judge Sue Sanidad, returning to UFC judging after not working an event since 2014, controversially scored the fifth round for Chimaev despite most observers seeing a clear 3-2 victory for Strickland. Chimaev is now expected to move up to light heavyweight, potentially facing Paulo Costa, while Strickland may defend against Nassourdine Imavov. The pre-fight animosity between the fighters seemed contradicted by their friendly interactions during the bout, including Chimaev reportedly saying "I Love You" to Strickland mid-fight.
Sean Strickland retained the middleweight championship at UFC 328 on May 9 with a victory over Khamzat Chimaev, pulling off what many are calling the second major upset of his career and silencing those who had written him off as a fading contender.
Strickland, 35, came in as the reigning middleweight champion carrying a 31-7 record. The American southpaw out of Xtreme Couture has built his reputation on relentless volume, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute — a pace that wears opponents down over championship rounds. His 76-inch reach and pressure-forward orthodox style make him a difficult puzzle to solve late in fights, and Saturday night proved no different.
Chimaev's performance drew immediate comparisons to his contested bout with Kamaru Usman. The Chechen-Swedish contender appeared dominant in the opening round but visibly faded as the fight progressed, falling back on striking rather than the grappling that makes him most dangerous. The cardio concerns that surfaced against Usman resurfaced here on the biggest stage.
The scorecards added a layer of controversy. Judge Sue Sanidad, returning to UFC judging after a lengthy absence dating back to 2014, awarded the fifth round to Chimaev despite a majority of observers scoring a clear 3-2 decision for Strickland.
Adding an unexpected note to the evening, the genuine animosity both fighters had displayed in the build-up appeared to dissolve inside the cage. Chimaev was reportedly overheard telling Strickland "I Love You" during the bout — a sharp contrast to the hostility that had defined the pre-fight period.
Why it matters
- Strickland's second major upset, following his win over Israel Adesanya, cements him as a legitimate and durable champion rather than a one-fight anomaly.
- Chimaev's recurring cardio issues at championship distance raise serious questions about his ceiling at middleweight and appear to be accelerating a move to light heavyweight, where a matchup with Paulo Costa has been floated.
- Strickland may next defend against Nassourdine Imavov, keeping the 185-pound title picture active while Chimaev seeks a fresh start one division up.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
