Sean Strickland's victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 is being viewed as a major vindication for the underdog. The fighter had been dismissed for years, labeled a "transitional champion," and was matched against Chimaev as a supposed easy opponent to create a blockbuster main event. Instead, Strickland delivered his second upset of the year and ruined countless betting parlays. The analyst notes that Chimaev fought hard and even broke Strickland's nose, but showed similar cardio issues to his fight against Kamaru Usman. The decision was scored 3-2 for Strickland, though one judge controversially gave the fifth round to Chimaev. Looking ahead, Chimaev is expected to move to light heavyweight, possibly facing Paulo Costa, while Strickland may defend against Nassourdine Imavov in a logical title defense.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
