Sean Strickland's victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 has been described as the upset of the year, with Strickland defying expectations for the second time after his previous win over Israel Adesanya. The fight ended with a close 3-2 split decision in Strickland's favor, though one judge controversially scored the fifth round for Chimaev. Chimaev showed no interest in an immediate rematch and appears ready to move up to light heavyweight, with Paulo Costa as a potential opponent. Strickland's championship reign may be short-lived, but his win opens the door for waiting contenders. A logical next step would be a rematch between Strickland and Nassourdine Imavov, as Strickland now holds six victories over current top-15 middleweights.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
