Hamzat Chimaev's face shown two days after UFC 328 title fight

A photograph circulating online offers a stark look at the physical damage Hamzat Chimaev absorbed during his middleweight title fight at UFC 328, with the image taken two days after the May 9 bout showing the visible toll of five hard championship rounds.

Chimaev lost to Sean Strickland via split decision in the main event, a result that handed the Swedish-Chechen contender his first defeat since 2018. Despite the loss on the scorecards, Chimaev was active throughout the contest, landing multiple takedowns and reportedly breaking Strickland's nose during the fight, underscoring the competitive nature of the performance even in defeat.

The surfaced photo adds a human dimension to what was already a significant result in the middleweight division. Facial damage of that kind after a five-round war is not unusual, but its visibility two days post-fight illustrates the punishment exchanged between the two fighters over the course of the championship distance.

Why it matters

• Chimaev's first loss in roughly eight years resets his standing in the middleweight picture and raises immediate questions about his path back to title contention.
• The split decision result leaves room for debate about the outcome and could fuel discussion about a potential rematch.
• The physical toll shown in the image reflects how competitive the fight was despite Strickland retaining or capturing the title on the judges' scorecards.

The defeat ends what had been one of the most closely watched undefeated runs in the division and opens a new chapter for Chimaev as he reassesses his position among the middleweight elite.