According to media scoring from UFC 328, 13 out of 24 journalists scored the main event in favor of Khamzat Chimaev in his fight against Sean Strickland. This indicates that media opinion was closely divided on the outcome of the bout, with the majority scoring for Chimaev despite the official result. The split decision among media members reflects the competitive nature of the fight. The post served as a content duplicate for users experiencing loading issues with the original channel.
Media scoring from UFC 328's main event revealed a near-even split among journalists the day after the May 9 card, with 13 of 24 media members who scored the bout siding with Khamzat Chimaev over Sean Strickland — despite the official result going the other way.
Strickland, 35, entered the fight as the reigning middleweight champion, carrying a record of 31-7-0. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture is known for relentless output, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach that helps him control distance. His pressure-based, volume-heavy style has defined his championship run.
Chimaev, ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound, came in at 15-1-0. The 32-year-old, who competes out of the UAE and trains at Allstars Training Center, is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport. He lands at a striking accuracy of 60 percent and averages an eye-catching 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him clear paths to victory both standing and on the mat.
Why it matters
- Strickland retained the middleweight title via official decision, but the media split raises questions about judging in a close championship fight
- Chimaev's divisional ranking and overall profile suggest a rematch conversation could develop quickly
- The stylistic contrast — Strickland's volume striking versus Chimaev's accuracy and elite grappling — made round-by-round scoring difficult for observers at ringside
- The 13-11 media split is among the tightest seen in a recent UFC main event, underscoring how competitive the bout appeared to those watching closely
Saturday, May 9, 2026
