Sean Strickland pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, defeating Khamzat Chimaev by split decision in the main event of UFC 328 on Sunday, handing the former champion his first MMA career loss while reclaiming the UFC middleweight title.
In a fierce five-round duel at the Prudential Center, Strickland survived pressure and early ground dominance from Chimaevi, to emerge victorious by votes: 47-48, 48-47, 48-47.
The champion sent the American to the mat in the first round and controlled him, but Strickland reacted strongly in the second, holding off takedown attempts and spending large parts of the round in advantageous positions.
From the third round onwards, Strickland stepped up his boxing on the feet, pushing Chimaev back despite allegedly suffering a broken nose. Despite having a clear advantage in wrestling, Chimaev often chose to trade blows, and at the end of the fourth round he returned to the ground game, once again throwing Strickland to the mat in the final minute.
The fifth round proved decisive: Strickland used his jab, movement, and distance management to do enough for two of the three judges to award him the round and therefore the victory, crowning him a two-time middleweight champion.
After the fight, in an emotional (and harshly worded) speech in the octagon, Strickland paid tribute to his opponent and admitted that he had overdone it during the pre-fight verbal clash.
“This is the dream,” he said, thanking his supporters and noting that he regained the title he had lost to Dricus du Plessis in February 2025.
