Sean Strickland produced one of the biggest upsets in UFC history on Saturday, defeating Khamzat Chimaev by split decision in the main event of UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey. The American regained the middleweight title and handed Chimaev his first professional loss.
All three judges scored the fight 48-47, with two favouring Strickland and one for Chimaev. The Russian, who had been unbeaten at 15-0, controlled the first round with dominant wrestling, securing a takedown within 15 seconds. However, he faded in the second round as Strickland defended takedowns and landed ground strikes.
Chimaev's body language deteriorated heading into the third round, and he failed to attempt a single takedown in the stanza, which Strickland narrowly won. The fourth round saw Chimaev bloody Strickland's nose and land a takedown in the final minute, but the champion rose before the buzzer.
In the fifth round, Strickland took down Chimaev and landed strikes to bloody his face, while denying a late takedown attempt. The victory made Strickland a two-time champion, having first won the belt by outpointing Israel Adesanya in 2023. Chimaev is now expected to move up to light-heavyweight.
In the co-main event, Joshua Van retained his flyweight title by stopping Tatsuro Taira in the fifth round of a thrilling contest.
