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Sean Strickland Wins UFC Middleweight Title via Split Decision Over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328
Strickland became a two-time champion on Saturday night in Newark, New Jersey, in a bout marked by nine takedowns against him and post-fight sportsmanship from both fighters. Joshua Van retained the flyweight title on the same card, which featured two championship fights broadcast on Paramount+.
May 10, 7:48 AM·2m read2 sources
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Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev via split decision to win the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Judges scored the bout 48-47, 47-48 and 47-48 in favor of Strickland, with two judges awarding it 48-47 for Strickland and the third scoring 48-47 for Chimaev.
Strickland became a two-time UFC middleweight champion, joining Israel Adesanya as the only other man to win the title twice.
Chimaev landed nine of 13 takedowns and spent 6:04 in ground control time but was taken down nine times himself. He won Round 1, lost Rounds 2 and 3 after gassing in the second round with fatigue carrying into the third, rebounded to take Round 4, and fought a close fifth round in which he was outlanded and failed to secure a late takedown.
The two men showed each other respect during the fight after weeks of trash talk, and Chimaev fastened the middleweight championship belt around Strickland's waist after the decision was announced.
Strickland directed offensive remarks at Chimaev relating to his nationality and religion before the event. UFC president Dana White brought in additional security personnel during fight week amid the tensions. Yet moments after the victory, Strickland seized the microphone and said: "I just want to apologise to my American fans, to my Muslim fans, and my Christian fans.
I went too f*ing hard, I'll admit it. " The main event was broadcast on Paramount+. 8 million on him.
All three bets lost. UFC 328 featured two title fights. In the co-main event, Joshua Van defeated Tatsuro Taira via R5 TKO at 1:32 to retain the UFC flyweight championship. The bout was awarded Fight of the Night, with each fighter receiving $50,000.
