Khamzat Chimaev's facial damage shown after Strickland fight at UFC 328

Photographs showing the facial damage Khamzat Chimaev sustained during his middleweight title fight against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9 have emerged online, offering a stark visual record of how competitive the contest was.

Strickland, 35, entered the bout as the reigning middleweight champion, carrying a professional record of 31-7-0. The American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture and stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, is one of the division's most relentless volume strikers, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute. His 42 percent striking accuracy reflects the sheer number of punches he throws rather than a selective approach, and he is known for breaking opponents down over the course of a full camp-style performance.

Chimaev, ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound, brought a 15-1-0 record into the contest. The 32-year-old, representing the United Arab Emirates and based at Allstars Training Center in Sweden, stands six-foot-two with a reach of 75 inches. He is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous all-around fighters in the sport, boasting a 60 percent striking accuracy and a ferocious grappling game that averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.8 submission attempts in the same span.

Why it matters

• The visible damage on Chimaev speaks to Strickland's durability as a champion and his ability to impose a grinding, high-output pace.
• A competitive championship round against the number-one contender reinforces Strickland's legitimacy as title holder at 185 pounds.
• Chimaev's record and ranking mean the fallout from this fight will carry significant implications for the entire middleweight landscape.