The undefeated record and middleweight title reign of Khamzat Chimaev ends in his first title defense. Sean Strickland has pulled off another major upset for the middleweight championship, defeating Chimaev in the UFC 328 main event.
In a case of deja vu, Chimaev got a takedown in the opening minute and didn’t let up the entire first round. Chimaev dominated with positioning, gaining mount and back mount, threatening a choke at the end of the fight’s first five minutes.
Strickland looked to pressure with strikes to start the second round. Then, both times that Chimaev went for takedowns in the round, Strickland stuffed them. This time, it was Strickland who dominated with positioning, mixing in some strikes.
Chimaev did not do any takedown attempts in round three, electing to stand and trade with Strickland. Strickland landed plenty of combinations early, but Chimaev landed arguably the most effective punch, tripping up Strickland on a late jab.
This continued into the fourth round, but Chimaev started to pick things up, working with his right hand, while Strickland appeared to tire a little. Chimaev then started to look for a takedown at the end of round four and going into round five. Strickland attempted to defend and landed jabs, but Chimaev was on the front foot for the majority of the last round, and he landed a pair of takedowns.
Sean Strickland Recaptures UFC Middleweight Title, Hands Khamzat Chimaev First Loss At UFC 328
Strickland earned this title shot off a finish of Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston in February. Strickland’s first title defense began at UFC 293, when he upset Israel Adesanya. Strickland, however, dropped the title to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297 and lost their UFC 312 rematch.
Chimaev was 15-0 entering this fight. He had claimed the middleweight title with a win over Du Plessis at UFC 319 last August.