Sean Strickland has done it again. In one of the most stunning upsets of the year, the former champion reclaimed the UFC middleweight title on Saturday night, defeating previously undefeated Khamzat Chimaev via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) in the main event of UFC 328 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. What makes the victory even more remarkable is that Strickland accomplished it with a broken nose suffered in the first round and a separated shoulder he injured just four days before stepping into the Octagon.
The win marks Strickland's second championship reign and continues his improbable run as one of the most unpredictable fighters in UFC history. After first winning the title by upsetting Israel Adesanya in 2023, losing it to Dricus du Plessis, and then working his way back, Strickland has now defeated both the sport's best striker (Adesanya) and its most feared grappler (Chimaev).
How Strickland Shocked the World: Inside the UFC 328 Main Event
The fight began exactly as many expected, with Chimaev shooting for an immediate takedown and dominating Strickland on the ground for much of the first round. The undefeated champion, who entered the bout at 15-0, controlled the action with his signature suffocating wrestling, and it appeared the fight was following a familiar script.
But something shifted dramatically in the second round. Chimaev, who sources say cut more than 40 pounds for the fight, appeared exhausted. In a baffling turn, he pulled guard — a tactic virtually never seen from the dominant wrestler — and began engaging Strickland in a kickboxing match at mid-range. From that point forward, Chimaev's once-feared wrestling largely disappeared.
Strickland capitalized on Chimaev's fatigue, using his signature high-volume jab to outwork the champion over the remaining rounds. While Chimaev found a second wind and held his own on the feet, he never reclaimed the dominant wrestling that made him the division's boogeyman. The split decision verdict — with two judges scoring it 48-47 for Strickland and one scoring it 48-47 for Chimaev — sent shockwaves through the MMA world.
"Strickland just stayed busier, landed better strikes overall, and made Chimaev not only look human but absolutely beatable," wrote Damon Martin of MMA Fighting in the publication's post-fight analysis. "Did Sean Strickland just become a superstar for the UFC? I think so."
Timeline: How UFC 328 Unfolded in Newark
Early Prelims: The night kicked off with two flyweight bouts as Jose Ochoa defeated Clayton Carpenter and Asu Almabayev edged past Rafael Estevam, both by unanimous decision. In a middleweight bout, Jacob Malkoun submitted Sam Alvey via rear-naked choke.
Preliminary Card: Yaroslav Amosov delivered arguably the night's best performance with a stunning belly-to-back suplex into an arm-triangle submission finish of Joel Alvarez. Jim Miller, fighting for the 47th time in the UFC, tapped out Jared Gordon to secure his UFC-record 28th win. Following the victory, UFC CEO Dana White announced Miller had signed a new five-fight contract to pursue his goal of 50 UFC fights. Natan Levy and Maheshate Hayisaer also picked up wins on the prelims.
Main Card: The main card opened with King Green submitting Jeremy Stephens via rear-naked choke at 4:20 of the first round. Sean Brady followed with a dominant unanimous decision over Joaquin Buckley, outgrappling him to the tune of 30-25, 30-25, and 30-27 scorecards. Alexander Volkov outpointed Waldo Cortes-Acosta in a heavyweight contest, then called for a title shot in his post-fight interview.
Co-Main Event: Joshua Van successfully defended his flyweight championship for the first time, stopping Tatsuro Taira via TKO in the fifth round. Van showed tremendous composure, surviving extended periods on the ground against the world-class grappler before breaking Taira down with varied striking.
Main Event: Sean Strickland def. Khamzat Chimaev via split decision to become a two-time middleweight champion in the biggest upset of the year.
Why UFC 328 Matters: Analysis and Impact on the Middleweight Division
The implications of UFC 328 are far-reaching for multiple divisions. For Strickland, the win cements his legacy as one of the most resilient fighters in the sport. His path to becoming a two-time champion is unprecedented — defeating Israel Adesanya (arguably the best striker of this generation) and Khamzat Chimaev (arguably the best grappler) in championship fights.
"Strickland now joins a list of illustrious individuals who have won a title more than once, which is pretty wild," noted MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew. "Someone called him the Eli Manning of MMA, and honestly, that feels right. Who saw this coming from the guy who got KOed by Zaleski dos Santos?"
For Chimaev, the loss raises serious questions about his future. The 32-year-old suffered his first career defeat in what was supposed to be his coronation. His extreme weight cut — reportedly over 40 pounds — appeared to sap his gas tank after just one round, and he is now expected to move up to light heavyweight. But as analysts pointed out, past middleweight champions have struggled with that same 20-pound jump.
"The way people talked about Chimaev, it felt like he might finish his career with an undefeated record," Martin wrote. "That's obviously not going to happen now... for the first time in a long while, we have questions about his ceiling."
Meanwhile, Joshua Van's flyweight title defense sets up a potential blockbuster rematch with former champion Alexandre Pantoja, who lost the belt to Van but remains widely considered one of the division's all-time greats. At just 24 years old, Van is rapidly improving and could be on the verge of dominating the 125-pound weight class.
Where Things Stand Now: Latest on Strickland's Injuries and What's Next
In the days following UFC 328, more details have emerged about the extent of Strickland's injuries. During his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Strickland revealed that Chimaev broke his nose somewhere in the middle rounds. The newly crowned champion later shared a graphic photo of his battered face on social media, showing a severely swollen and clearly broken nose.
Adding to the story, Strickland revealed he had also suffered a separated shoulder just four days before the fight during training camp. Despite entering the Octagon compromised, he managed to outwork and outlast the previously undefeated champion over five rounds.
Dana White confirmed the extent of Strickland's injuries in a press conference, stating the broken nose occurred in the first round. The revelation has only added to the legend of Strickland's performance, with many calling it one of the gutsiest title wins in recent UFC history.
As for Miller, the 42-year-old lightweight legend continues to defy Father Time. His 28th UFC victory and subsequent new five-fight deal keep alive his dream of reaching 50 fights in the promotion. "Miller looked great and needed less than five minutes to tap out Jared Gordon for UFC win No. 28," MMA Fighting reported.
What Happens Next: The Road Ahead for Strickland and Chimaev
With Strickland reclaiming the middleweight throne, the division now has a new champion with several compelling options. A potential trilogy fight with Dricus du Plessis, who defeated Strickland at UFC 312, seems like the most logical next step. Alternatively, a matchup with surging contender Nassourdine Imavov or a rematch with Chimaev could headline a major pay-per-view event later this year.
For Chimaev, the path forward likely involves a move to light heavyweight, where he won't have to endure the brutal weight cuts that have plagued his career. If he can maintain his strength and conditioning at 205 pounds, he could still be a formidable force in a division that lacks dominant figures.
Van, meanwhile, should get the Pantoja rematch he deserves. The flyweight champion has proven his ability to adapt and overcome adversity, and settling the score with the former champion would determine who truly is the best 125-pounder in the world.
The Bottom Line: Key Points from UFC 328
- Sean Strickland def. Khamzat Chimaev via split decision to become two-time UFC middleweight champion.
- Strickland fought with a broken nose (suffered in R1) and a separated shoulder (suffered 4 days before the fight).
- Joshua Van defended flyweight title with fifth-round TKO of Tatsuro Taira.
- Jim Miller earned UFC-record 28th win, signed new 5-fight deal.
- Khamzat Chimaev suffered his first career loss, likely moving to light heavyweight.
- Alexander Volkov, Sean Brady, and King Green all picked up statement wins on the main card.
