Strickland Shocks the World Again: Reclaims Middleweight Title at UFC 328

The Upset Nobody Saw Coming

Chimaev entered UFC 328 as one of the heaviest favorites on a title card in recent memory, closing as high as -575 at some sportsbooks. The undefeated Chechen-born champion had bulldozed every opponent in his path — nine straight UFC victories across two weight classes, capped by a dominant unanimous decision over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 last August to claim the belt.

None of that mattered to Strickland.

The 35-year-old former champion — who first won the title with his legendary upset of Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in 2023 — proved once again that counting him out is a mistake. With a record that now stands at 31-7, Strickland becomes a two-time UFC middleweight champion and cements himself as one of the most defiant figures in the sport.

Bad Blood Boils Over

The rivalry between Chimaev and Strickland had been simmering for years, dating back to a contentious sparring session at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. Both fighters spent months arguing publicly over who got the better of that gym exchange, and when the UFC finally booked the fight, the animosity escalated to a near-breaking point.

At Thursday's pre-fight press conference, a 30-minute exchange of verbal attacks culminated in Chimaev physically kicking Strickland during the faceoff. The incident forced UFC security and law enforcement to separate the two fighters immediately. By Friday's ceremonial weigh-ins, the promotion didn't even allow a traditional faceoff — Chimaev was escorted off stage by multiple security guards the moment he stepped off the scale while Strickland continued hurling insults over the microphone.

The Fight: Strickland's Masterclass in Survival and Volume

Chimaev came out predictably aggressive, using his devastating double-leg takedown to put Strickland on the mat early. The champion's wrestling — widely considered the best in the middleweight division — was on full display in the opening rounds as he repeatedly dragged Strickland to the canvas and worked from dominant positions.

But Strickland refused to stay down.

The challenger's takedown defense and ability to get back to his feet proved to be the difference-maker. Each time Chimaev brought the fight to the ground, Strickland used wall walks and scrambles to return to standing, never allowing the champion to settle into extended control the way he did against du Plessis. When the fight stayed on the feet, Strickland's volume striking — his constant jab, well-timed check rights, and teeps — kept Chimaev honest and piled up points on the scorecards.

The championship rounds were where Strickland separated himself. As Chimaev's explosive wrestling began to fade, Strickland's relentless output only increased. The final round saw both fighters swing wildly in a dramatic finish, but Strickland's consistent pressure throughout the fight had already done enough to sway two of three judges.

What It Means

Strickland's victory hands Chimaev (15-1) his first professional loss, ending one of the most impressive unbeaten streaks in UFC history. For Strickland, it's validation — proof that his first title reign wasn't a fluke and that his unique, pressure-heavy style can neutralize even the most dominant grapplers in the sport.

With over 1,575 significant strikes landed in middleweight competition — the most in division history — and now a second reign as champion, Strickland's legacy in the 185-pound division is undeniable. The question now: who's next? A trilogy with du Plessis, a rematch with Chimaev, or perhaps a fresh challenger entirely.

One thing's certain — nobody will be counting out Sean Strickland again.

Also at UFC 328

The co-main event delivered its own drama as flyweight champion Joshua Van retained his title with a fifth-round TKO of Tatsuro Taira at 1:32 of the final frame. Taira dominated the wrestling exchanges early, but Van's power proved decisive as he rallied late to earn the stoppage. A rematch with former champion Alexandre Pantoja looms.

Other notable results from the main card:

• Alexander Volkov def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision — the Russian heavyweight's 40th career victory
• Sean Brady def. Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-27) — a dominant wrestling clinic across all three rounds
• King Green def. Jeremy Stephens via first-round submission (rear-naked choke, 4:20 of R1) — his third consecutive victory and second finish of 2026