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Sean Strickland Defeats Khamzat Chimaev by Split Decision to Win UFC Middleweight Title at UFC 328
Retired fighter Jon Jones commented on Khamzat Chimaev's split-decision defeat to Sean Strickland in May. Jones highlighted Chimaev's takedown vulnerability and suggested training adjustments. The remarks came in a recent interview reported by yardbarker.com.
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Jon Jones said he was surprised by Khamzat Chimaev's first professional loss inside the octagon and offered specific training advice to the former middleweight champion. Chimaev entered UFC 328 with a 15-0 record and lost the title he had won against Dricus du Plessis in 2025. Sean Strickland defeated him by split decision in the main event at the Prudential Center in Newark.
Jones, who retired from combat sports in 2025 after defending the heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in 2024, spoke to Red Corner MMA. The 38-year-old American called himself a fan of the 32-year-old Russian-Emirati fighter. “I was really surprised by that fight,” Jones said.
He identified Chimaev being taken down and ending up on his back as the main shift in the contest. Jones said Chimaev is not used to that position and that it took him out of the fight mentally. He advised Chimaev to work on his weaknesses, switch up his endurance routine, and spend more time on his back.
Jones added that Chimaev has a strong family team that believes in him and will help him recover from the setback.
