Sean Strickland Defeats Khamzat Chimaev in UFC Middleweight Title Rematch

Sean Strickland reclaimed the UFC middleweight championship on May 10, 2026, defeating Khamzat Chimaev via split decision at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The victory marked a significant upset in the co-main event of UFC 328, as Strickland overcame a dominant start to secure the title for a second time in his career.

Chimaev entered the bout as a convincing favorite, having maintained an unbeaten record across 16 UFC fights prior to the encounter. However, after five rounds of competition, the judges awarded the victory to Strickland, who demonstrated resilience despite battling a physical impairment that he kept hidden until after the fight.

During a post-fight press conference, the 35-year-old Strickland revealed that he competed with a shoulder injury sustained earlier in the week. He explained that the injury occurred on Tuesday, May 6, 2026, while sparring with PFL champion Johnny Eblen at Plinio Cruz’s gym.

“Funny story – on Tuesday, I’m sparring Johnny [Eblen], that motherf—–, PFL champ. I’m at Plinio Cruz’s gym. He shoots on me, and I hit his bricka—wall, and I separate my shoulder,” Strickland told reporters. “So, I had a grade one AC join separation on Tuesday. I remember lying in bed on Tuesday night, and I can’t lie on my right side. I’m like, ‘You’re such a f—ing idiot. You’re such a f—ing idiot.”

Sean Strickland

Strickland noted that the injury hampered his usual pre-fight routine. He stated that he typically prefers more intensive warm-ups in the dressing room but avoided doing so before the match for fear of further aggravating the shoulder. This was particularly precarious given Chimaev’s reputation as a dominant wrestler, a style of fighting that typically puts extreme pressure on a fighter’s shoulders and upper body strength during grappling exchanges.

The tactical disadvantage of the injury was evident in the opening frame of the fight. Just 15 seconds into the first round, Chimaev successfully took Strickland down to the canvas, a sequence that aligned with the expectations of many observers who anticipated a dominant grappling performance from the former unbeaten fighter.

The momentum shifted in the second round as Strickland began to find his rhythm. He managed to stay on his feet and land a series of strikes, turning the contest into a back-and-forth battle where both fighters traded significant blows over the remaining rounds.

The closing stages of the fight featured a contentious moment in the fifth round. As both athletes were bloodied, Strickland claimed that Chimaev pointed to the mat, a gesture often interpreted in combat sports as an agreement to abandon grappling and engage in a “haymaker” battle to provide the audience with an exciting finish.

“He pointed at the mat and said, ‘Let’s give the people what they want, let’s have the man dance,’ or some s—. And I was like, ‘OK. I trust you, the guy that just kicked me in the balls yesterday. I trust you, Chimaev. You seem like a real trustworthy guy. I like your smile. We shook hands, I believe you.’ So, I put my hands up, and he f—ing shoots at me.”

Sean Strickland

Despite his frustration with the move, Strickland noted that there was a level of mutual respect between the two competitors throughout the match. This respect was further demonstrated after the official decision was announced, as Chimaev personally passed the championship belt to Strickland.

Strickland, who remains a polarizing figure within the UFC, received a raucous reception from the Newark crowd. The audience repeatedly chanted “U-S-A!” as the 35-year-old was officially named the middleweight champion.