Newsletters
Khamzat Chimaev lost the UFC middleweight championship to Sean Strickland at UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday, bringing an end to one of the most undefeated runs in recent mixed martial arts history.
Strickland, 33, became only the second fighter to hold the 185-pound title on two separate occasions, winning a five-round decision in what was widely described as an upset.
Chimaev, 30, entered the fight as champion and appeared in control through the first round, but visibly fatigued as the bout progressed, losing the ability to sustain the wrestling-heavy output that had defined his rise. By the final rounds, Strickland had taken command of the pace and secured the decision.
The defeat raised immediate questions about Chimaev's standing in the division. Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier addressed the psychological impact of the loss on the Deep Waters podcast, pointing in particular to a moment inside the cage where Chimaev placed the championship belt around Strickland's waist following the final horn.
"The next fight, whoever he gets matched up with is gonna be tougher to intimidate because his aura took a hit this week," Poirier said. "Putting the belt on him, like, come on, man."
The gesture drew widespread attention and divided opinion among fighters and analysts. Several MMA figures, including former title challenger Sean Brady and veteran fighter Nate Diaz, questioned the authenticity of the pre-fight hostility between the two men, given how quickly the feud appeared to dissolve after the final bell.
Strickland acknowledged the shift himself at the post-fight press conference: "When you go through five rounds like that with somebody, it changes things."
Inside the cage immediately after the loss, Chimaev told UFC president Dana White he intended to move up to the light heavyweight division at 205 pounds, signaling he would not pursue a rematch at middleweight. White indicated at the time that a rematch was not under consideration.
Within 24 hours, however, Chimaev reversed course publicly, posting on social media to ask Strickland when he would be ready for a rematch, a move that drew further attention to his post-fight conduct.
The picture was complicated further by Chimaev's physical condition in the days following the fight. Despite not appearing to absorb significant strikes during the bout itself, photos shared in the days afterward showed visible facial swelling and bruising, consistent with the toll of a full five-round championship contest.
With the title back around Strickland's waist, attention has turned to who will challenge next. Top-ranked French-Dagestani middleweight Nassourdine Imavov, who is considered among the leading contenders for a title shot, made his intentions toward Strickland public on social media in the days following UFC 328.
Imavov stated he had no interest in replicating the post-fight reconciliation that followed the Chimaev match, writing that insults directed at religion, family and nation "are not marketing" to him.
Chimaev's next move remains officially undecided. Whether he pursues the rematch he requested, drops back in line at middleweight, or follows through on his stated initial plan to move up in weight is expected to become clearer in the weeks ahead.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
