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Underdog Strickland Wins Split Decision, Reclaims Middleweight Title

5/11/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev by split decision to reclaim the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey.
Strickland entered as a +400 underdog, and two judges scored 48-47 for him while the third scored 48-47 for Chimaev.
The victory made Strickland a two-time UFC middleweight champion alongside Israel Adesanya and handed Chimaev his first professional defeat, dropping his record to 15-1.

History

Historical Context

On 11 February 1990, the undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson (WBC, WBA, IBF) faced 42-1 underdog James “Buster” Douglas in Tokyo Dome. Douglas earned $1.3 million versus Tyson’s $6 million and knocked Tyson out in the 10th round, prompting the IBF to crown him champion and the WBA/WBC to follow after four days. His subsequent loss to Evander Holyfield cemented the fight’s legacy as boxing’s greatest upset.

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Story summary

Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev by split decision to reclaim the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey.
Strickland entered as a +400 underdog, and two judges scored 48-47 for him while the third scored 48-47 for Chimaev.
The victory made Strickland a two-time UFC middleweight champion alongside Israel Adesanya and handed Chimaev his first professional defeat, dropping his record to 15-1.

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