Full Breakdown
Sean Strickland’s Upset Over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328: Victory, Injuries, and the Road Ahead
5/14/2026, 8:36:00 AM
The Upset at UFC 328
On May 9 2026, the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey hosted UFC 328. In the main event, challenger Sean Strickland defeated reigning middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev by split decision. Two judges scored rounds 2 and 3 for Strickland, while the third judge gave round 5 to him, making the final round decisive. The bout lasted five rounds, with Chimaev recording nine takedowns and seven minutes of control versus Strickland’s three minutes.
Recent Title History and Fight Build-Up
Strickland entered the fight as a +375 underdog, having reclaimed the middleweight belt previously by upsetting Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. He lost his first title defense to Dricus du Plessis before earning a second title shot. Chimaev entered UFC 328 unbeaten at 15-0, widely regarded as the favorite and a dominant wrestler.
Fight Numbers and Injury Details
Strickland landed 123 of 312 strikes, out-striking Chimaev on the feet, while Chimaev secured nine takedowns. Control time favored Chimaev (7 min 7 sec) over Strickland (3 min 0 sec). Post-fight, Strickland disclosed three shoulder injuries: a Type II AC joint separation, an extended Type V SLAP tear, and a partial rotator-cuff tear with tendinosis. He also reported a broken nose sustained during the bout.
Regulatory and Promotional Responses
The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board issued an indefinite medical suspension for Strickland, pending orthopedist clearance for a left-hand injury, and imposed a 45-day suspension with 30 days of no-contact. UFC president Dana White confirmed the broken nose and noted the need for medical clearance before Strickland can compete again.
Dissenting Views on the Decision
Former champion Kamaru Usman argued the decision should have favored Chimaev, citing the champion’s forward pressure and nine takedowns. Luke Rockhold suggested the judges were swayed by Strickland’s +400/500 odds, questioning the fairness of the scoring. Training partner Khalil Rountree described Chimaev’s performance as “very hard to watch,” indicating shock at the unexpected outcome.
Discrepancies and Unknowns
Sources differ on whether Strickland’s injuries were pre-existing from sparring or incurred during the fight, and on the precise injury prompting the suspension (shoulder vs. left hand). Recovery timelines also vary: the Cleveland Shoulder Institute estimates 6-12 months for a SLAP-tear surgery, while other reports suggest a 6-8-week period for a broken nose. The exact date when the suspension will be lifted remains unspecified.
Direct Voices
- “Gonna have to walk this one off…” — Sean Strickland, Fighter
- “I do give the fight to Khamzat Chimaev.” — Kamaru Usman, Former UFC Welterweight Champion
- “Maybe that’s why he won, because of the +400 or 500 odds.” — Luke Rockhold, Former UFC Middleweight Champion
- “I would say that this was very hard to watch because I wasn’t watching the Khamzat that I know.” — Khalil Rountree, Fighter
- “I asked to fight Dricus du Plessis, but the UFC refused.” — Nassourdine Imavov, Fighter
Future Match-Making
Strickland’s next opponent remains undecided. Chimaev has publicly requested an immediate rematch, while Imavov claims priority for a title shot. Should Strickland’s recovery extend beyond a year, the UFC may schedule an interim middleweight title bout, potentially featuring Chimaev versus Imavov as a No. 1 contender clash.
