Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328, retaining his middleweight championship in a major upset. Strickland, who was heavily underestimated, secured his second surprise title defense after previously shocking Israel Adesanya. The fight was competitive with Chimaev showing resilience and breaking Strickland's nose, but Strickland's consistent output earned him a 3-2 rounds victory on most scorecards. One judge controversially scored the fifth round for Chimaev, leading to the split decision. Chimaev immediately announced his intention to move up to light heavyweight rather than pursue a rematch. Strickland's victory opens up the middleweight division for other contenders, with Nassourdine Imavov being mentioned as a logical next challenger. The pre-fight animosity between the fighters unexpectedly dissolved during the bout when they appeared friendly.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
