Chimaev addresses Strickland on social media after UFC 328 loss

Sean Strickland retained his middleweight title at UFC 328 on May 9, and Khamzat Chimaev wasted little time taking to social media to address his conqueror in the aftermath of the defeat.

Strickland, 35, now sits at 31-7-0 and continues his reign as UFC middleweight champion. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture is one of the division's most relentless pressure strikers, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a six-foot-one, 193 cm frame and a 76-inch reach. His volume and durability have made him one of the hardest men in the division to break.

Chimaev, known as "Borz," drops to 15-1-0 with the loss — the only blemish on what had been a near-perfect professional record. The 32-year-old UAE-based Swede, ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound heading into the bout, had been widely regarded as one of the sport's most dangerous challengers. His 60 percent striking accuracy and a remarkable 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes underline a smothering, multi-dimensional style that few fighters have been able to withstand. The defeat represents the first real setback of his MMA career.

The specific content and tone of Chimaev's post-fight social media message have not been detailed, but the exchange adds another layer to what has already been an ongoing public back-and-forth between the two middleweights.

Why it matters

• Strickland's win reinforces his status as a legitimate, defending champion at 185 pounds
• Chimaev's first career loss raises questions about where the No. 1 contender goes from here in a deep middleweight division
• The continued social media dialogue between the two suggests the rivalry may not yet be finished