Khamzat Chimaev VS Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland reclaimed the UFC middleweight championship, defeating Khamzat Chimaev by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) over five rounds at the Prudential Center in Newark on May 9, 2026. Chimaev controlled the early exchanges through wrestling, taking Strickland down within the first 15 seconds of Round 1 and maintaining back control with hooks in through submission attempts, then repeating the pattern in Round 4 with a takedown and thigh knees from body lock. The decisive swing came in Round 2, when Strickland stuffed two back-to-back takedown attempts, reversed position, and held side control for the remainder of the frame — the round that swung two of the three judges. Strickland's jab was a consistent weapon throughout, breaking Chimaev's nose in Round 3 and keeping him honest in Round 5 as Chimaev faded; the final bell sparked a contested reaction from the crowd before the split cards were read. The result ended Chimaev's undefeated run at 15-0, handing him his first professional loss and returning the middleweight title to Strickland for a second reign.

Khamzat Chimaev makes his first middleweight title defense against Sean Strickland at UFC 328, renewing an animosity that traces back to their time as sparring partners and escalated into one of the most heated pre-fight feuds in recent UFC history. Chimaev enters 15-0 and off a dominant five-round sweep of Dricus Du Plessis; Strickland counters with a sharp Philly-shell boxing game, elite cardio, and a February TKO of Anthony Hernandez that earned him this shot.