Khamzat Chimaev has once again reached out to Sean Strickland on social media following Strickland's victory at UFC 328. The post indicates this is not the first time Chimaev has addressed Strickland through social platforms after their fight. The specific content of Chimaev's message was not detailed in the post. This continues the ongoing narrative between the two middleweights, with Chimaev apparently maintaining communication despite losing a closely contested decision. The social media exchange adds another chapter to their rivalry following a fight that generated significant attention and controversy.
Two days after suffering the first defeat of his professional career, Khamzat Chimaev took to social media to address middleweight champion Sean Strickland following their clash at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026. The post marks at least a second time Chimaev has reached out to Strickland publicly since the fight, though the specific content of his message was not disclosed.
Strickland, 35, defended his middleweight title with a closely contested decision victory that drew significant attention and controversy. The American fighter, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, carries a 31-7-0 record and stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach. Nicknamed "Tarzan," he is one of the more active strikers in the division, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy.
Chimaev, nicknamed "Borz," entered the fight as the No. 1-ranked middleweight and the No. 10 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The 32-year-old representing the UAE and training out of Allstars Training Center had been unbeaten heading into the contest, boasting a 15-0 record before the loss. At six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Chimaev blends elite wrestling — averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes — with a striking accuracy of 60 percent. His record now stands at 15-1-0.
Why it matters
- Strickland's win keeps the middleweight title in his hands after one of the division's most anticipated bouts in recent memory
- Chimaev's social media activity suggests the rivalry between the two fighters is far from finished despite the result
- The ongoing exchange keeps divisional attention on a potential rematch between the No. 1 contender and the champion
Saturday, May 9, 2026
