13 of 24 media members scored Chimaev winner over Strickland

Thirteen of 24 journalists polled scored Khamzat Chimaev the winner of his middleweight title fight against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, despite the official judges' decision going to Strickland.

Strickland, 35, successfully defended the middleweight championship, improving his record to 31-7-0. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture carries one of the highest striking outputs in the division, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a six-foot-one frame and a 76-inch reach. His pressure-heavy, forward-moving style has long made him a difficult puzzle for opponents to solve.

Chimaev, the top-ranked middleweight contender and number ten in the pound-for-pound rankings, fell to 15-1-0 with the loss. The 32-year-old, representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center, entered the bout as one of the most complete fighters in the division. He averages an imposing 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and a striking accuracy of 60 percent, making him dangerous in every phase of the fight.

Why it matters

• Strickland retains the middleweight title, but the near-even media split raises questions about the judging criteria applied on fight night
• Chimaev's case for an immediate rematch will likely be bolstered by the wide disagreement among observers
• The stylistic clash between Strickland's high-volume striking and Chimaev's elite grappling and finishing ability produced the kind of close, multi-dimensional contest that divides scorecards
• At 15-1-0, Chimaev remains the division's top-ranked contender and a central figure in the middleweight picture going forward