💀 WHO’S NEXT TO LOSE THEIR ZERO? 2026 has been BRUTAL for undefeated fighters. 😳 Khamzat Chimaev, Ilia Topuria, Lerone Murphy, and most recently Movsar Evloev have all suffered their first professional defeats this year. And the undefeated curse might not be over yet… 👀 🏆 Josh Hokit (10-0) faces heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane at UFC 334 on November 14. 🏆 Michael Morales (19-0) puts his perfect record on the line against knockout artist Carlos Prates for the interim welterweight title at UFC 336 on January 30. Two undefeated fighters. Two massive title fights. Everything on the line. 🔥 WHO WILL BE THE NEXT TO LOSE THEIR ZERO? 👀💀 🥊 #ufc #mma #fight #news #sports 💔 16-0 NO MORE. THE FALL OF KHAMZAT CHIMAEV. One of the most feared undefeated fighters in MMA history finally tasted defeat at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026. After starting his professional career with 16 straight victories, Khamzat Chimaev suffered his first loss against Sean Strickland, who reclaimed the UFC middleweight championship via split decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-48). Despite dominating the opening round with his wrestling, Chimaev struggled to maintain that control as Strickland’s relentless pressure, takedown defense, and striking volume turned the fight into a five-round battle. An undefeated record gone. A championship lost. But perhaps the most memorable moment came afterward, when Chimaev personally placed the belt around Strickland’s waist in a show of respect. 👏 Now 16-1, Khamzat has made it clear that he wants his revenge. WILL BORZ EVER RECLAIM HIS THRONE? 🐺👀 #chimaev #wrestle #ufc #mma #fighter 💔 17-0-1 NO MORE. THE END OF LERONE MURPHY’S UNBEATEN RUN. On March 21, 2026, Lerone Murphy suffered the first defeat of his professional MMA career against Movsar Evloev in the main event of UFC London. After going unbeaten in his first 18 professional fights, “The Miracle” fell short in front of his home crowd, losing by majority decision (48-46, 48-46, 47-47). Murphy started strong, showcasing his sharp striking and movement, but Evloev gradually took control as the fight progressed. To make matters worse, Murphy late
Khamzat Chimaev's unbeaten professional run ended at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, when Sean Strickland took the middleweight title by split decision, and a recap of the 2026 casualties among undefeated fighters now puts that result at the centre of a growing list. Chimaev, Ilia Topuria, Lerone Murphy and Movsar Evloev have all suffered their first professional defeats this year.
The judges scored the five-round title fight 48-47, 48-47 and 47-48 for Strickland. Chimaev had success early with his wrestling, but Strickland's pressure, takedown defense and striking volume turned the bout into a long fight. Afterwards, Chimaev personally placed the belt around Strickland's waist and has made clear he wants a rematch.
A note on the numbers: the recap lists Chimaev at 16-1, while our records show 15-1.
Strickland, 35, is a Xtreme Couture fighter from the United States and now holds a 31-7 record. The result also continued a strong run. In February 2026 he stopped Anthony Hernandez by KO/TKO in the third round, and before that his most recent recorded loss was a unanimous decision to Dricus Du Plessis in a title fight at UFC 312 in February 2025. He lands 6.04 significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy, but averages only 0.71 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Chimaev, 32, fights out of Allstars Training Center for the United Arab Emirates and entered the Strickland fight ranked number one in the middleweight division and 10th pound-for-pound. His takedown rate of 5.29 per 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes made wrestling his main weapon, which is what makes Strickland's takedown defense the story of the fight. His previous recorded win was a unanimous decision over Du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025, and he finished Robert Whittaker by first-round submission in October 2024.
The recap also points ahead to two more undefeated fighters facing title-level tests: Josh Hokit (10-0) meets heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane at UFC 334 on November 14, and Michael Morales (19-0) fights Carlos Prates for the interim welterweight title at UFC 336 on January 30.
Why it matters
- Strickland reclaimed the middleweight belt, and he now owns the only recorded meeting between the two.
- Chimaev's wrestling numbers are far above Strickland's, yet the champion's takedown defense neutralised them over five rounds.
- Two more unbeaten fighters, Hokit and Morales, face title fights in the coming months.
