Photo shows Chimaev's face after Strickland fight at UFC 328

A photo circulating after UFC 328 offers a close-up look at the physical damage Khamzat Chimaev sustained during his middleweight title fight against Sean Strickland on May 9, 2026. The image was shared without additional commentary, but it serves as a stark visual reminder of the punishment exchanged across five championship rounds, which ended in a split decision victory for Strickland.

Strickland, now 31-7-0, retained the middleweight title with the win, cementing his status as champion at 35 years old. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture is one of the busiest strikers in the division, averaging 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute with a 76-inch reach that allows him to control distance and volume over long fights.

Chimaev entered the bout ranked first in the middleweight division and 10th pound-for-pound with a 15-1-0 record, suffering only his second professional loss. The 32-year-old fighting out of the UAE brings an unusual combination of elite wrestling — averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes — and striking accuracy of 60 percent, among the highest in the sport. His record entering the fight suggested he could impose his will on almost anyone, making the defeat a significant moment in his career trajectory.

Why it matters

• Strickland successfully defends the middleweight title against the division's top-ranked contender
• Chimaev drops to 15-1-0, raising questions about his path back to a title shot
• The fight pitted Chimaev's elite grappling and accuracy against Strickland's relentless volume striking, producing a competitive five-round contest that required judges to decide the outcome
• The circulating photo underlines the physical cost of a championship-level middleweight clash