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Tag: Sean Strickland

  • Sean Strickland Has Blunt Take On Fantasy Matchup With Anderson Silva

    Sean Strickland Has Blunt Take On Fantasy Matchup With Anderson Silva

    Sean Strickland says he would beat a prime Anderson Silva, arguing that the sport has evolved to a level where Silva’s game from his era would not hold up today.

    Strickland reclaimed the UFC middleweight title by upsetting Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 earlier this month. Speaking to Nina Drama, he was asked about a fantasy matchup with Silva, who holds the record for most consecutive UFC middleweight title defenses at 10.

    “I’d f*ck him up. I think there’s a big level difference now. If you could take Anderson Silva and bring him into modern time, you know what I’m saying? Every generation gets better and better and better. So it’s kind of one of those hard fights to say, ‘Would I beat this guy up?’ Well, yeah, like naturally the sport is getting better.”

    Strickland has built a resume that includes wins over Chimaev, Israel Adesanya, Nassourdine Imavov, Brendan Allen, Paulo Costa, and Anthony Hernandez.

  • Sean Strickland Wants UFC Exit To Fight Jake Paul After Influencer Boxer Lands Spot On Forbes’ Highest-Paid Athletes List

    Sean Strickland isn’t shy about speaking his mind, and his latest comments make it clear he’s seriously tempted by the kind of money being made outside the UFC.

    The reigning middleweight champion reacted to Jake Paul landing on Forbes’ highest-paid athletes list after reportedly earning around $70 million, and the numbers clearly caught his attention.

    Speaking during a livestream with Nina Drama, the outspoken MMA star openly floated the idea of leaving the UFC altogether to chase a payday against “The Problem Child”.

    “I gotta leave the UFC and go beat up Jake Paul. That’s it. Cut my contract, UFC. It’s time for me to leave,” Strickland said on Nina Drama’s livestream.

    The comments weren’t just made in passing. Strickland doubled down on the financial disparity between MMA and boxing, suggesting that even a partial payday from a Jake Paul fight would eclipse his UFC earnings.

    “If I made even a fraction of that, I’d be making more than the UFC is paying me,” he said. “I’d f—ing beat the s— out of Jake Paul.”

    Strickland also took aim at “The Problem Child’s” in-ring credentials, pointing to his loss against Tommy Fury as evidence that the YouTuber-turned-boxer isn’t operating at a high level.

    “Jake Paul lost against pretty much a reality star named Tommy… He’s not a real boxer,” Strickland added.

    Despite the bravado, Strickland acknowledged that the financial upside is the real driving factor behind his interest. He even claimed a single fight with Paul could surpass what he’s earned throughout his entire UFC career.

    “I’ll make more money f—ing up Jake Paul than I would my entire UFC career. How f—ed up is that?” he said.

  • ‘I Hate Myself’ – UFC Champ Sean Strickland Blasts Adin Ross’ Brand Risk 14 Event After ‘Shameful’ Experience

    Sean Strickland didn’t mince words after his brief appearance at the influencer-driven Brand Risk 14 event, making it clear he regretted showing up almost immediately after it ended.

    The reigning UFC middleweight champion was present at the show, even stepping in on commentary for one of the bouts. But what he witnessed inside the venue clearly didn’t sit well with him.

    Taking to Instagram shortly after leaving, Strickland delivered a brutally honest reaction.

    “I’ve never been a part of anything so shameful in my life, and I hate myself,” Strickland said on his Instagram Stories. “And I feel like less of a man after being here. Oh God, why did I agree to this?”

    The event, which featured a mix of influencer fights and unconventional matchups, left Strickland visibly disturbed. While he initially appeared to be going along with the spectacle during the broadcast, his tone shifted completely once he exited the arena.

    “I had to get the f— out of there,” he added. “I like Adin, but I’m sick to my stomach. That is the most f—ed up thing I’ve ever witnessed in my life.”

    According to Strickland, his appearance wasn’t about the event itself but rather supporting people he knows, including content creator Adin Ross. Still, the experience quickly turned into something he wanted no part of.

    “I was just trying to say hi to a friend, next thing you know, your dignity is gone,” he said. “I’m ready to go home and look myself in the mirror. I’ve never done anything so shameful in my life being a part of this.”

    Beyond just the event, Strickland also voiced concerns about the broader direction of entertainment culture, particularly the influence of streaming personalities.

    “You take these streamers and they have this massive following,” he said. “You just know they’re the next generation… It’s so bad. I just want it all to stop.”

  • Khamzat Chimaev Points Finger At ‘American Judges’ For UFC Title Loss To Sean Strickland

    Khamzat Chimaev Points Finger At ‘American Judges’ For UFC Title Loss To Sean Strickland

    Khamzat Chimaev is no longer staying quiet about his first loss inside the Octagon, and he’s pointing toward more than just the action inside the cage as the reason behind it.

    The former middleweight champion suffered a narrow split decision defeat to Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 in Newark, a result that saw Strickland reclaim the 185-pound title. While the fight was widely viewed as competitive, the scorecards immediately sparked debate among fans, media, and fighters alike.

    Now, weeks removed from the bout, Chimaev has voiced his own concerns — and they go beyond simple judging criteria.

    In a now-deleted post on X, later shared via Championship Rounds, Chimaev suggested that nationality may have played a role in how the fight was scored.

    “All judges are American, the organization is American, the opponent is American, and one is Chechen,” he wrote. “It’s a close fight. Who do you think will win?”

    Despite the implication, “Borz” was quick to shut down the idea that he was making excuses for the loss. In a follow-up message on X, he made his intentions clear.

    “No excuses I just wanna f— him up, this s— trying to run away,” he added.

    “Borz” has also continued to push for a rematch with Strickland, doubling down on his desire to run things back after what many viewed as a razor-close contest. Even among media members, scoring was split, with a notable portion favoring the 32-year-old Chechen’s performance on the night.

    The loss marked the first blemish on Chimaev’s previously perfect professional record and ended his reign as middleweight champion.

  • Eric Nicksick’s Explanation Of What Strickland’s Camp Was Thinking During The Weigh-Ins Changes The Story

    Sean Strickland’s head coach Eric Nicksick says the team’s primary concern during the weigh-in controversy at UFC 328 was not whether Khamzat Chimaev made weight — it was the potential fine money.

    Chimaev was the last fighter to the scale ahead of Saturday’s middleweight title fight and drew scrutiny from the MMA community over what many felt was a rushed read by the commission. Strickland believed before and after his split decision win that Chimaev had not made the 185-pound limit. Reports after the fight indicated Chimaev may have been dealing with a significant weight cut after the UFC pivoted from a planned light heavyweight bout with Jiri Prochazka, which his brother claimed would have involved a 46-pound cut.

    Speaking to MMA Fighting, Nicksick addressed the weigh-in situation directly.

    “It’s not like, ‘Oh, he didn’t make the weight,’ and this and that. People forget, I don’t know what Khamzat was getting paid, that’s 20 percent or 30 percent, that’s a big fine, that money goes into Sean’s pocket. That’s all we cared about was like, ‘Yo, we want that fine money. We want that tax, baby.’ Other than that, it is what it is.”

    Nicksick confirmed Strickland would have taken the fight regardless of what the scale said.

    “We were going to fight regardless. He could have been five pounds over, Sean was going to take the fight regardless. It doesn’t matter, but that’s a good chunk of change had he been missing weight, and we would have got a little bit more money off that.”

    On the subject of what comes next, Nicksick said the team has no preference and will fight whoever the UFC calls.

    “I don’t give a shit, man. I don’t care. It’s not up to me. We’re f*cking mercenaries, man. It’s like you call, you tell us who we gotta go out and take out, that’s our job. We got to execute a game plan and go take care of business. It’s simple as that, there’s no emotion behind it. At this point as a champion, it doesn’t matter. You have to defend the belt for whoever they call, so I don’t care who it is.”

    Strickland suffered a shoulder injury on the Tuesday of fight week. Nicksick said he would ideally like to see the new champion take until September or October before returning.

    “Spend some time with your wife, invest back in your family. Anybody that’s been in this sport that has a family, they get it. They’re the ones that suffer the most. But if I had my choice, man, I would like to see him maybe wait until September, October. Just take some time off and chill.”

    Strickland will attend Saturday’s MVP MMA 1 event in Los Angeles alongside Nicksick to watch teammate Francis Ngannou compete against Philipe Lins.

  • Daniel Cormier Says Sean Strickland Made Key Mistake That Cost Him More Decisive Win Over Khamzat Chimaev

    Daniel Cormier Says Sean Strickland Made Key Mistake That Cost Him More Decisive Win Over Khamzat Chimaev

    Daniel Cormier believes Sean Strickland left points on the board against Khamzat Chimaev and could have won more decisively at UFC 328.

    Strickland edged Chimaev by split decision to claim the UFC middleweight title Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Cormier acknowledged the upset but took issue with a key moment in the third round.

    “You got a Sean Strickland that got taken down in Round 1. Round 2 scored his own takedowns, Round 3 controlled the fight with the jab. Honestly, I thought Strickland made a mistake in Round 3 by not really pressing on the gas because I felt like Khamzat had a bit of an adrenaline dump. If he’d really pressed him, he really could have made Khamzat struggle down the stretch, but he didn’t.”

    Cormier said Strickland’s jab was the defining weapon of the fight despite Chimaev’s late pressure.

    “The way he was able to control the fight with that jab, showed you how good Sean Strickland is. The right hand seemed to be available, but he never really threw it. Round 3, 4, and 5, Khamzat Chimaev really got on the gas and started backing up Sean Strickland. But if you know scoring, octagon control is no longer a scoring criteria when judging fights. It’s damage, duration and dominance. Khamzat showed control when he got him down, but even with the six minutes of top time, Sean still outlanded him by 50 strikes, and a whole bunch of significant strikes.”

    Round 5 proved decisive, with two judges awarding it to Strickland. The new champion revealed he is carrying multiple shoulder injuries and plans to take time off.

  • UFC 328 Aftermath Sees Several Fighters Hit With Lengthy Medical Suspensions

    UFC 328 Aftermath Sees Several Fighters Hit With Lengthy Medical Suspensions

    UFC 328 delivered an action-packed night in Newark, but the aftermath shows just how much damage the fighters endured inside the cage.

    Following the May 9 event at Prudential Center, the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board issued a lengthy list of medical suspensions, with 11 fighters receiving indefinite suspensions pending medical clearance. The card was headlined by Sean Strickland reclaiming the title in a grueling split decision over Khamzat Chimaev, and both men were among those sidelined.

    Strickland was handed an indefinite suspension until his left hand is cleared by an orthopedist, along with a mandatory 45-day suspension and 30 days of no contact. “Borz” received a 45-day suspension with 30 days no contact.

    The co-main event fighters also did not escape unscathed. Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira were both issued indefinite suspensions. “The Fearless” must receive clearance on his left hand, while Taira requires a CT scan after suffering a late stoppage loss. “The Best” also faces a 90-day suspension with 60 days no contact.

    Several other fighters across the card were also handed medical suspensions, highlighting the physical toll of the event.

    Full UFC 328 medical suspensions:

    • Sean Strickland: Indefinite (left hand), 45 days, 30 no contact
    • Khamzat Chimaev: 45 days, 30 no contact
    • Joshua Van: Indefinite (left hand), 30 days, 21 no contact
    • Tatsuro Taira: Indefinite (CT scan), 90 days, 60 no contact
    • Alexander Volkov: No suspension
    • Waldo Cortes-Acosta: 30 days, 15 no contact
    • Sean Brady: No suspension
    • Joaquin Buckley: 30 days, 21 no contact
    • King Green: No suspension
    • Jeremy Stephens: Indefinite (groin)
    • Ateba Gautier: No suspension
    • Ozzy Diaz: Indefinite (right eye), 60 days, 30 no contact
    • Yaroslav Amosov: No suspension
    • Joel Alvarez: No suspension
    • Grant Dawson: Indefinite (tibia), 30 days, 21 no contact
    • Mateusz Rebecki: Indefinite (orbit), 30 days, 15 no contact
    • Jim Miller: Indefinite (left hand), 30 days, 15 no contact
    • Jared Gordon: 30 days, 15 no contact
    • Roman Kopylov: 45 days, 30 no contact
    • Marco Tulio: Indefinite (foot/ankle), 45 days, 30 no contact
    • Pat Sabatini: No suspension
    • William Gomis: No suspension
    • Baysangur Susurkaev: Indefinite (hand/foot), 45 days, 30 no contact
    • Djorden Santos: 45 days, 30 no contact
    • Jose Ochoa: 30 days, 21 no contact
    • Clayton Carpenter: Indefinite (lower leg), 45 days, 30 no contact

    Notably, clearance from a medical professional can shorten these suspensions.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Explains Why he Squashed Beef With Sean Strickland

    Khamzat Chimaev Explains Why he Squashed Beef With Sean Strickland

    Khamzat Chimaev has explained the moment that confused fans at UFC 328 and made clear that while he has moved past the animosity with Sean Strickland, he has not moved past the result.

    In a video posted to his Instagram Stories, Chimaev addressed the widespread questioning of whether his feud with Strickland was genuine, pointing to a post-fight apology from Strickland as the reason he was willing to shake hands and place the belt around his opponent’s waist.

    “A lot of people were concerned. We will not give up. We will keep winning again, if it is Allah’s will, and we will keep training. The motivation is still there. We still want to take the belt. And regarding that guy: he said a lot of unnecessary things. People were asking why I shook his hand and why I put the belt on him afterward. We don’t have the habit of talking or fighting after a loss. If we fight, we fight inside the cage, and we fought as best as we could. What Allah has decided is no longer in our control. That guy lowered his head and asked for forgiveness. If a person asks for forgiveness, I can forgive him.”

    The forgiveness has not translated into acceptance of the loss. Per ESPN, Chimaev’s team has confirmed that a rematch with Strickland is the only fight he will consider right now.

    “The rematch with Sean Strickland is the only fight that Khamzat wants, he is obsessed with it. That’s the only fight he will accept right now.”

    Whether the UFC grants an immediate rematch is unclear given that Strickland already has a heated feud with Nassourdine Imavov ready to be made, as well as the possibility of a trilogy with Dricus du Plessis, who holds two wins over the new champion.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Formally Requests Sean Strickland Rematch

    Khamzat Chimaev Formally Requests Sean Strickland Rematch

    Khamzat Chimaev has reversed his position from immediately after UFC 328 and is now formally pursuing a rematch against Sean Strickland, with his brother confirming that the request has been made and that an October event in Abu Dhabi is the target.

    Just hours after the split-decision loss to Strickland on Saturday, Chimaev told Dana White he wants to move up to light heavyweight and is done at middleweight. Within days, he had posted cryptic messages on social media directed at Strickland, and now his brother Artur has confirmed to sports.ru that the camp’s position is clear.

    “We’ve requested a rematch with Strickland. There’s an event in Abu Dhabi in October and we want to do it there. Khamzat isn’t the type of person to move to another weight class and leave unanswered questions behind. We want the second fight. Right now we have no other goals.”

    ESPN has separately reported that Chimaev is obsessed with getting the rematch and will not accept other bookings in the meantime, a posture that puts the UFC in a complicated position, given that Strickland has already identified Nassourdine Imavov as a likely next opponent, and a queue of genuine contenders exists at 185 pounds.

    Artur confirmed that Chimaev cut from 231 pounds down to 185 pounds after being asked to defend the middleweight title instead of competing in a planned 205-pound fight against Jiri Prochazka, for which a contract had already been prepared. Two weeks before the fight, Chimaev weighed 214 pounds. His body shut down during the final stages of the cut, and he required an hour-long pause before continuing.

  • Dustin Poirier Spotlights Exact Moment he Realized Strickland-Chimaev’s Beef Was Fake

    Dustin Poirier Spotlights Exact Moment he Realized Strickland-Chimaev’s Beef Was Fake

    Dustin Poirier believes Khamzat Chimaev walked into UFC 328 carrying an aura that made opponents think twice before they even laced their gloves, and he believes that aura took a significant hit in Newark on Saturday night.

    Speaking on UFC on Paramount+ after the show, Poirier explained why the post-fight reconciliation between Chimaev and Strickland bothered him as much as the result itself.

    Poirier’s point cuts to the specific thing that made Chimaev different as a competitor. The unbeaten record was part of it, but the relentlessness and the implied danger that he carried into every build was equally significant.

    “The next fight, whoever he gets matched up with, it’s going to be tough for him to intimidate because his aura took a hit this week. With the back-and-forth, I thought it was real. I think his whole aura took a hit this week. And putting the belt on Strickland — like, come on, man. They worked us for sure.”

    The split decision itself kept things competitive throughout, with all three judges scoring it two rounds apiece heading into the fifth before two of them gave Strickland the final round and the fight. Whether Chimaev receives an immediate rematch or Strickland moves on to another challenger remains to be confirmed by the UFC.

  • Jorge Masvidal: Sean Strickland is a Hall of Famer and All-Time Great

    Jorge Masvidal: Sean Strickland is a Hall of Famer and All-Time Great

    Jorge Masvidal watched Sean Strickland pull off his second stunning middleweight title upset and came away with a verdict that goes beyond the result of one fight.

    Speaking with Full Send MMA after UFC 328, Masvidal placed Strickland among the all-time greats in the division and argued the case for his eventual Hall of Fame induction.

    “Sean Strickland has to go down as a Hall of Famer, and is an all-time great. Let’s take a little step back. Even before he got the belt, he’s had some amazing performances throughout his career. He fought at 170, he was cutting a little too much weight. He came up, he really started showing out, finishing guys, setting himself up for success. Separating himself from the pack by his fight style. He has a good finishing rate, and he’s beaten a lot of up-and-coming guys, he beat a lot of established guys, and he beat a lot of guys he probably should have never beat.”

    Strickland now holds wins over Khamzat Chimaev, Israel Adesanya, Nassourdine Imavov, Paulo Costa, Anthony Hernandez, and Brendan Allen across a middleweight career that has consistently delivered results most fans did not expect. His two title fight upsets over Adesanya and Chimaev stand among the most shocking in UFC history at any weight class.

  • Dricus Du Plessis Has Hilarious Reaction to Sean Strickland’s Upset Win Over Khamzat Chimaev At UFC 328

    Dricus Du Plessis Has Hilarious Reaction to Sean Strickland’s Upset Win Over Khamzat Chimaev At UFC 328

    Dricus du Plessis may have been one of the happiest people in the building after Sean Strickland shocked the MMA world by defeating Khamzat Chimaev in the UFC 328 main event.

    Strickland reclaimed the middleweight title with a grueling split-decision victory over Chimaev on Saturday night in Newark, handing “Borz” the first loss of his professional career and ending his title reign after just one defense.

    Watching cageside was Du Plessis, who suddenly finds himself right back in the middle of the championship picture thanks to the result.

    The South African previously defeated Strickland twice during his own title reign, first capturing the belt against him at UFC 297 before successfully defending it in their rematch at UFC 312.

    However, Du Plessis later lost the title to Chimaev after being controlled for long stretches in their clash at UFC 319 last year.

    Following UFC 328, “Stillknocks” made it clear he wasn’t surprised by how the fight unfolded.

    Dricus du Plessis Believes Sean Strickland Broke Khamzat Chimaev’s Pace At UFC 328

    “The fight went exactly the way I thought it would,” Du Plessis said in a backstage UFC interview. “Great, great fight by Strickland. Like I said, it’s so hard to keep that man on the ground.”

    Du Plessis explained that Strickland’s ability to repeatedly work his way back to his feet eventually drained Chimaev’s gas tank and shifted the momentum of the fight.

    “He is incredibly tough to hold down,” Du Plessis said. “He made Khamzat tired and that’s exactly what happened.”

    The former champion also reiterated his belief that once the fight stayed standing for extended periods, Strickland held the advantage.

    “And like I said, in the stand-up, [Khamzat] just won’t be able to hang with him,” Du Plessis added. “So congratulations.”

    Du Plessis then jokingly closed his reaction with a line that immediately caught fans’ attention online.

    “I guess this makes me world champion again.”

    Videos circulating on social media also showed Du Plessis celebrating Strickland’s victory cageside, smiling and applauding after the judges announced the decision.

    Although the UFC has not confirmed what comes next at middleweight, Strickland’s win potentially places Du Plessis in a strong position for a trilogy fight, given his two previous victories over the newly crowned champion.

  • Sean Strickland Won UFC Middleweight Title While Injured

    Sean Strickland Won UFC Middleweight Title While Injured

    Sean Strickland reclaimed the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 328 while dealing with a separated shoulder he sustained just four days before the fight, an injury he revealed in characteristically dramatic fashion at the post-fight press conference in Newark.

    Strickland, who is famously committed to sparring regardless of the timing, was working at Plinio Cruz’s gym in New Jersey on the Tuesday before the Saturday fight when things went wrong during a session with former PFL middleweight champion Johnny Eblen.

    “Funny story. So Tuesday I’m sparring Johnny, that motherfucker, the PFL champ. I’m at Plinio Cruz’s gym and he fing shoots on me. I hit this brick a** wall and I separated my shoulder. So I had a grade one AC joint separation on Tuesday and I remember laying in bed on Tuesday night. I’m sure there’s a video of me somewhere slamming my shoulder — get some better pads! I was laying there and I couldn’t lay on my right.”

    Despite the injury, Strickland competed and won a split decision over Khamzat Chimaev to become a two-time middleweight champion. During the fight itself, Chimaev added to his injury total when a strike broke Strickland’s nose during one of their exchanges.

  • Sean Strickland Admits His Feud With Khamzat Chimaev May Have Been Manufactured

    Sean Strickland Admits His Feud With Khamzat Chimaev May Have Been Manufactured

    Sean Strickland has offered a remarkably candid post-fight assessment of the feud that consumed the sport’s attention for weeks, admitting that much of the hatred he felt toward Khamzat Chimaev may have originated entirely within his own mind.

    Speaking to the media after reclaiming the UFC middleweight title at UFC 328, Strickland reflected on the origins of a rivalry that included gun threats, a kicked faceoff, and the heaviest security operation in recent UFC history, only to dissolve into mutual respect within minutes of the final bell.

    “Maybe it’s just who he is as a person but when he was in the gym he was really threatening. He just had that threatening demeanour. And maybe that’s like the little man inside me but when he’s threatening me I’m like ‘I want to f***ing murder you, I want to kill you.’ Maybe he didn’t take it that way, maybe it’s his Chechen sense of humor. But in the gym he was always trying to, like, punk me. I was like ‘let’s go spar’ and we would never go spar.”

    He then went further, acknowledging that the entire intensity of his feelings toward Chimaev may have been a product of his mental state rather than anything Chimaev actually did.

    “So I could have manufactured the whole situation in my head to be honest. There’s times when you’re mentally not well you’ll have interactions with people and sometimes your brain thinks something else happened. You have to sit back and be like ‘wait wait wait’. That’s why I like training and train so much, there’ll be times where I have an interaction with somebody and my brain hallucinates the entire interaction. So there’s a chance that I just hallucinated that entire interaction with Chimaev.”

    Strickland also revealed he competed through a significant shoulder injury sustained during fight week, adding another layer to a victory that already stands as one of the more unlikely in recent middleweight history. His win makes him a two-time UFC middleweight champion, joining Israel Adesanya as the only fighters to accomplish that feat at 185 pounds.

  • ‘Does It Again’ – Strickland Bests Chimaev For Middleweight Title

    ‘Does It Again’ – Strickland Bests Chimaev For Middleweight Title

    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.

  • UFC 328 Results: Chimaev vs Strickland Live Updates & Highlights

    MMA News updates UFC 328 results and highlights live as the action unfolds from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The main event will feature Khamzat Chimaev defending the UFC middleweight championship against Sean Strickland. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Chimaev vs Strickland: Middleweight Title Fight

    The undefeated Chimaev has been seemingly unstoppable in the sport, especially since his 2020 UFC debut. Tonight marks Chimaev’s first UFC title defense after defeating Dricus Du Plessis to become the middleweight champion at UFC 319 last August.

    Strickland enters this fight with five wins in his last seven fights, including a finish of Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston. This marks his fourth middleweight title fight in his last six bouts. Strickland upset Israel Adesanya for the belt at UFC 293 but dropped the title to Du Plessis at UFC 297. He then lost a rematch with DDP at UFC 312.

    The co-main event will also feature gold at stake, as Joshua Van puts the UFC flyweight championship on the line against Tatsuro Taira.

    Van has won six straight and is 9-1 in the UFC. This is his first title defense since winning the title from Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323. On that same card, Taira, who is 18-1 in his MMA career, scored a finish of former champion Brandon Moreno.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC 328!

    How to Watch UFC 328

    • Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
    • Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
    • Streaming: Paramount+
    • Prelims: 5 PM ET / 2:30 PM PT
    • Late Prelims: 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT
    • Main Card: 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT

    UFC 328 Quick Results

    • Main: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland — Sean Strickland def. Khamzat Chimaev via split decision (48-47 x2, 47-48)
    • Co-Main: Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira — Joshua Van def. Tatsuro Taira via TKO (Rd. 5, 1:32)
    • Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta — Alexander Volkov def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
    • Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley — Sean Brady def. Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision (30-25 x2, 30-27)
    • King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens — King Green def. Jeremy Stephens via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 4:20)

    UFC 328 Results & Highlights

    Early Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    Flyweight: Jose Ochoa def. Clayton Carpenter via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Middleweight: Baisangur Susurkaev def. Djorden Santos via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 3, 4:12)

    Featherweight: Pat Sabatini def. William Gomis via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

    Middleweight: Roman Kopylov def. Marco Tulio via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 7 PM ET)

    Lightweight: Jim Miller def. Jared Gordon via submission (guillotine choke) (Rd. 1, 3:29)

    Lightweight: Grant Dawson def. Mateusz Rebecki via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 3, 4:42)

    Welterweight: Yaroslav Amosov def. Joel Alvarez via submission (arm-triangle choke) (Rd. 2, 1:13)

    Middleweight: Ateba Gautier def. Ozzy Diaz via KO (Rd. 2, 1:10)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 9 PM ET)

    Lightweight: King Green def. Jeremy Stephens via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 4:20)

    Welterweight: Sean Brady def. Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision (30-25 x2, 30-27)

    Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

    Flyweight Championship: Joshua Van def. Tatsuro Taira via TKO (Rd. 5, 1:32)

    Middleweight Championship: Sean Strickland def. Khamzat Chimaev via split decision (48-47 x2, 47-48)

  • Islam Makhachev Explains Why Sean Strickland Could Give Khamzat Chimaev Serious Problems at UFC 328

    Islam Makhachev Explains Why Sean Strickland Could Give Khamzat Chimaev Serious Problems at UFC 328

    Islam Makhachev believes Sean Strickland could present far more problems for Khamzat Chimaev than many fans expect ahead of their UFC 328 showdown this weekend.

    While Chimaev enters Saturday’s title fight in Newark as a sizeable betting favorite, the reigning UFC welterweight titleholder suggested the matchup may become much more complicated if Strickland can survive the early grappling exchanges and force “Borz” into deep waters.

    During a recent interview with Red Corner MMA (via Championship Rounds), Makhachev explained that Chimaev’s success may ultimately hinge on whether he can consistently keep Strickland grounded.

    “It’s going to be a good fight,” Makhachev said. “I have already told my teammates that if Khamzat manages to get takedowns, it’s going to be a very easy fight. But if it goes all five rounds, then he would have to work really hard.”

    Islam Makhachev Believes Sean Strickland’s Ability To Stand Back Up Could Change The Fight

    Makhachev pointed to the key difference between Strickland and former champion Dricus du Plessis, whom Chimaev defeated to capture the middleweight belt at UFC 319.

    “Unlike it was with Dricus du Plessis, who was lying on his back and couldn’t get up, I think Strickland will be working his way up, getting up and fighting back,” Makhachev said.

    “I mean, the guys who worked with him at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas say that he’s constantly trying to get up from the ground.”

    Strickland’s durability and defensive grappling have become major talking points heading into UFC 328. Despite competing professionally 37 times across MMA, the former middleweight champion has never been submitted in his career.

    The outspoken American enters the fight with momentum after scoring a knockout victory over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston back in February. Since joining the UFC, Strickland has compiled a 17-7 promotional record, earning notable wins over Paulo Costa, Israel Adesanya, and Nassourdine Imavov.

  • Dana White Puts Chimaev vs. Strickland in His Top Three All-Time UFC Feuds

    Dana White Puts Chimaev vs. Strickland in His Top Three All-Time UFC Feuds

    Dana White has placed the Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland rivalry among the worst cases of bad blood in UFC history, ranking it third on his all-time list after an extraordinary press conference on Thursday in Newark that ended with Chimaev kicking Strickland during their faceoff.

    Speaking on Nina Drama’s Kick stream following the press conference, White gave his full take on where the feud sits historically.

    “It was what I expected. It was great. Highly anticipated fight, finally going to happen on Saturday. All that really matters is that the fight is a good fight. But sometimes, guys are very respectful, and they’re chill and whatever. And sometimes they’re today. The great thing about press conferences is there’s a wide range. It’s not all the same sh*t all the time. But for this one, this is one of the worst cases of bad blood ever. I put it No. 2 on the all-time list.”

    He then reconsidered when prompted to recall the full history between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, which included a legitimate fistfight in the lobby of the MGM Grand while guests were checking in.

    “Jones and Cormier is a good one. That’s a good point. Complete fistfight in the middle of the MGM Grand. Actually, you’re right. That’s probably No. 2. I forgot there was a fist fight in the lobby of the MGM while people were checking into their hotel. I would put Chimaev vs. Strickland at 3.”

    The number one spot belongs to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, a rivalry that produced the bus window incident in Brooklyn and the post-fight brawl at UFC 229 when Nurmagomedov jumped out of the cage. White was clear about why nothing else tops that.

    “Conor-Khabib No. 1. And the only reason Conor-Khabib is No. 1 is Brooklyn, and then what happened after the fight. We made some mistakes, obviously, leading up to that fight and after that fight. And we won’t do that again.”

    White also mentioned Quinton Jackson and Rashad Evans as well as Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock as rivalries worthy of inclusion in any extended top five conversation. On the faceoff incident itself, White acknowledged he did not anticipate Chimaev going that far while holding the champion back.

    “I had his arm, Khamzat’s arms, and I didn’t think he’d kick him. I didn’t think he was going to do anything. I thought it was going to be a lot of yelling and back-and-forth. That’s the most we will fail this weekend. That’s the most we will fail.”

  • Dana White Doesn’t Want Dillon Danis Anywhere Near UFC 328 Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Fight Week Chaos

    Dana White Doesn’t Want Dillon Danis Anywhere Near UFC 328 Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Fight Week Chaos

    Dana White has once again made it clear that Dillon Danis is not welcome anywhere near the UFC, especially during one of the most volatile fight weeks the promotion has seen in years.

    Speaking during a recent appearance on Nina Marie Daniele’s KICK stream, White joked — while also sounding genuinely cautious — about the possibility of Danis showing up at UFC 328 in Newark this weekend amid the already explosive tensions surrounding Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.

    “Dillon, if you show up on Saturday, maybe the Muslim Brotherhood will be so focused on you they won’t be able to go after Sean,” White said.

    The comment comes as security has already been heavily increased throughout UFC 328 fight week following repeated hostile exchanges between Chimaev and Strickland.

    The two middleweights nearly erupted into a physical altercation during Thursday’s press conference, where “Borz” kicked Strickland during an intense faceoff that immediately triggered a massive security response.

    UFC 322 Crowd Brawl Still Hangs Over Dillon Danis

    White’s warning also ties directly back to the chaos that unfolded at UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden late last year.

    During the event, “El Jefe” became involved in a massive crowd brawl linked to members of Islam Makhachev’s entourage after allegedly provoking them cageside. Videos from the incident appeared to show multiple people throwing punches inside the packed arena.

    Several fighters connected to Team Makhachev were reportedly involved in the altercation, including Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Magomed Zaynukov, also known online as “John Pork.”

    The UFC CEO later publicly blamed Danis for the incident and announced that the polarizing fighter would never attend another UFC event again.

  • Watch the UFC 328: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland Weigh-Ins

    Watch the UFC 328: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland Weigh-Ins

    We are now just one day shy of UFC 328, which will see the highly intense middleweight title fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland. Get the latest from all of today’s weigh-ins in New Jersey here with MMANews!

    This will be the first title defense for Chimaev, who has been seemingly unstoppable since he arrived in the UFC in 2020. Chimaev defeated Dricus Du Plessis to win the middleweight title at UFC 319 last August.

    Strickland comes into this title fight off his finish of Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez at UFC Houston three months ago. Strickland upset Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title at UFC 293 but dropped the belt to Du Plessis at UFC 297. Strickland lost again to DDP in a championship rematch at UFC 312.

    The co-main event will also have gold at stake when Joshua Van defends the UFC flyweight championship against Tatsuro Taira.

    Van had a memorable 2025, culminating in him defeating Alexandre Pantoja via injury to become the champion at UFC 323 this past December. The one-loss Taira, meanwhile, earned this title shot by finishing former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323.

    UFC 328 Official And Ceremonial Weigh-Ins

    You can find the YouTube video to view the UFC’s official UFC 328 Morning Weigh-In Show below.

    The Morning Weigh-In show begins at 8:50am ET/5:50am PT.

    You can watch the UFC 328 Ceremonial Weigh-In in the video player below.

    The UFC 328 Ceremonial Weigh-In begins at 6pm ET/3pm PT.

  • Alex Pereira Makes Surprise Pick For Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland At UFC 328

    Alex Pereira Makes Surprise Pick For Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland At UFC 328

    Alex Pereira is backing Sean Strickland to shock the MMA world this weekend at UFC 328.

    Strickland enters Saturday’s main event in Newark as a sizable underdog against undefeated middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, but Pereira believes his former opponent and training partner has the tools to make things extremely difficult for “Borz.”

    During the UFC 328 Countdown, “Poatan” reflected on how his perception of Strickland changed after sharing the Octagon and later training with him.

    “Before our fight, I saw him differently,” Pereira said. “But once he stepped into the octagon, you could see it on his face. He was a different guy. He’s a warrior.”

    The Brazilian knockout artist famously stopped Strickland at UFC 276 to earn his shot at the middleweight title. But after the fight, the two eventually developed mutual respect and spent time training together at the UFC Performance Institute.

    “The first time we trained together was after our fight,” Pereira explained. “I learned a lot from those sessions. He’s got a lot of experience. He knows his craft.”

    Alex Pereira Believes Sean Strickland’s Jab Could Trouble Khamzat Chimaev

    Pereira specifically pointed to Strickland’s relentless pressure and jab-heavy style as key weapons heading into the title fight.

    “He’s always moving forward, firing that jab,” Pereira said. “That’s a great weapon he has.”

    The former two-division UFC champion also offered strategic advice for how Strickland can potentially neutralize Chimaev’s wrestling-heavy attack.

    “He’s got to stay composed, keep pressing forward, stay alert, watch out for the takedowns, and use his jab and front kick,” Pereira said. “I’m really excited and motivated for this fight, and I hope he gets the win.”

    While “Poatan” is focused on supporting Strickland this weekend, he also has a historic opportunity looming next month.

    On June 14, Pereira is scheduled to face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C. A victory would make Pereira the first fighter in UFC history to capture championships across three different divisions since joining the promotion in 2021.


  • Khamzat Chimaev Reveals Big Plans Beyond Sean Strickland At UFC 328

    Khamzat Chimaev Reveals Big Plans Beyond Sean Strickland At UFC 328

    Khamzat Chimaev may already be looking beyond the middleweight division before even making his first title defense.

    The undefeated champion is set to headline UFC 328 this weekend against bitter rival Sean Strickland in Newark, New Jersey. But during fight week, Chimaev hinted that Saturday night could potentially mark his final appearance at 185 pounds.

    When asked by reporters whether the Strickland fight might be his last middleweight bout, Chimaev gave a humorous but revealing answer.

    “I hope so,” Chimaev said. “I like to eat pizza. We will see.”

    Khamzat Chimaev Targeting Bigger Fights After UFC 328

    While Chimaev remains focused on settling his grudge with Strickland, he made it clear that future plans already include possible moves to light heavyweight — or even heavyweight.

    The undefeated Chechen specifically mentioned Alex Pereira as one of the names he’s interested in fighting if “Poatan” returns to 205 pounds following his upcoming interim heavyweight title clash with Ciryl Gane at the White House event in June.

    “I just want big fights,” Chimaev explained. “Alex Pereira, if he gonna lose to Ciryl Gane, he gonna come back down. He’s big fight too, big name. If not, I’m gonna go to heavyweight.”

    “I need big names, big money,” he added.

    Chimaev also suggested he no longer sees many compelling challenges remaining at middleweight. With contenders like Nassourdine Imavov already holding losses to Strickland, the champion questioned whether continuing to defend the belt against the same cycle of contenders would truly add to his legacy.

    “Even Sean is not a big thing for me because the guy I beat before him for all five rounds — Dricus du Plessis beat him twice,” Chimaev said. “If I stay here, I beat Sean, and then I beat Nassourdine Imavov — Imavov got beat by Sean — what’s the point? Are we just going around in circles playing Russian Roulette?”

  • VIDEO: Khamzat Chimaev Kicks Sean Strickland During Heated UFC 328 Staredown, Security Swarms Stage

    VIDEO: Khamzat Chimaev Kicks Sean Strickland During Heated UFC 328 Staredown, Security Swarms Stage

    Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland nearly turned the UFC 328 press conference into complete chaos on Thursday evening after a heated faceoff ended with the reigning middleweight champion kicking his upcoming opponent in front of a packed crowd in Newark.

    The two middleweights finally came face-to-face publicly for the first time since their long-discussed sparring sessions became a major talking point in MMA circles. But any hopes of a calm press conference quickly disappeared once both fighters walked onto the stage at the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House inside the Prudential Center complex.

    Even before taking their seats, “Borz” and Strickland immediately began verbally firing at each other while security personnel positioned themselves closely between the two men.

    The UFC had already increased security measures for the event following days of escalating threats and hostile exchanges between the rivals, with multiple police officers visible throughout the venue.

    Heavy Security Struggles To Contain Chaotic UFC 328 Faceoff

    The tension inside the building continued to rise throughout the press conference as Strickland launched into several profanity-filled tirades directed at “Borz”. The champion repeatedly responded from across the stage while security remained on high alert during the entire presser.

    The atmosphere reached another level once the official faceoffs began.

    As the two fighters squared up for photos following the press conference, Chimaev suddenly kicked Strickland, instantly triggering a swarm of security officers and police who rushed in to separate the pair before the situation escalated further.

    The chaotic scene only added to what has already become one of the UFC’s most volatile fight-week buildups in recent memory. UFC CEO Dana White compared the hostility surrounding the matchup to some of the biggest grudge fights in promotional history.

    Saturday’s UFC 328 main event will see the undefeated Chechen attempt to make the first defense of his middleweight title against the outspoken former champion.

  • WATCH: Heavy Police Presence Seen Ahead of UFC 328 Press Conference Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Tensions

    WATCH: Heavy Police Presence Seen Ahead of UFC 328 Press Conference Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Tensions

    Heightened security measures are already visible ahead of the UFC 328 pre-fight press conference as tensions continue to escalate between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.

    Videos circulating on social media from the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House at the Prudential Center showed an unusually large police presence before Thursday’s press conference even began.

    Additional footage also revealed the UFC seating Chimaev and Strickland noticeably far apart on stage, a clear sign the promotion is taking extra precautions before Saturday’s middleweight title fight in Newark, New Jersey.

    The UFC 328 press conference is expected to feature all four championship fighters from this weekend’s pay-per-view card, including flyweight champion Joshua Van and challenger Tatsuro Taira. But much of the attention has centered on the increasingly hostile feud between Chimaev and Strickland.

    UFC Ramps Up Security Amid Escalating Threats

    The buildup to the fight has taken a darker tone in recent days after both men made alarming comments regarding potential confrontations outside the cage.

    “Borz” previously suggested that he and members of his team could confront Strickland during fight week, while Strickland responded by referencing “stand your ground” laws and implying he would defend himself with a firearm if necessary.

    That exchange appears to have prompted the UFC to significantly tighten security around both fighters throughout the week.

    According to reports from Newark, several uniformed Morristown police officers have been assigned to the event in an effort to prevent any physical altercations before fight night. Extra coordination has also reportedly been implemented whenever Strickland moves through media areas or backstage sections of the venue.

    Strickland recently claimed that his primary concern is not Chimaev himself, but the possibility of being confronted by the champion’s large entourage during fight week.

    Meanwhile, Chimaev hinted that Strickland is staying separately from the rest of the UFC roster, further fueling speculation about how seriously the promotion is treating the situation behind the scenes.

  • Ex-Champ Who Went The Distance With Both Men Explains Why Sean Strickland Could Trouble Khamzat Chimaev At UFC 328

    Ex-Champ Who Went The Distance With Both Men Explains Why Sean Strickland Could Trouble Khamzat Chimaev At UFC 328

    Dricus du Plessis believes a lot of people may be underestimating Sean Strickland heading into his title clash with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328.

    Chimaev enters Saturday’s main event at the Prudential Center in Newark as a sizable betting favorite while preparing for the first defense of the middleweight belt he captured from Du Plessis at UFC 319 last year.

    But despite losing his title to “Borz”, Du Plessis isn’t convinced the matchup is as one-sided as many expect.

    Speaking during an appearance on Fight Forecast, “Stillknocks” explained why he believes the opening round could determine everything.

    “The first round is going to tell us so much about this fight,” Du Plessis said. “I know Khamzat is going to get him down. I’ve taken Strickland down so many times. I know Khamzat is going to get him down, but to keep him there? That’s going to be the big question.”

    Du Plessis Gives Strickland Surprising Edge Over Chimaev At UFC 328

    Having spent extended time inside the cage with both men, Du Plessis offered an unexpected assessment when comparing their physicality.

    “Because Strickland’s ability to get up, the technique he uses, the strength he has. He’s a strong guy, a lot stronger than Khamzat on a physical level,” Du Plessis said. “I think he’s going to surprise some people.”

    The South African believes Strickland’s cardio and defensive style could become major factors if the fight extends beyond the early grappling exchanges.

    “If Strickland gets up two or three times in the first round, it’s not going to get easier with the sweat and the fatigue, trying to keep a guy down that gets up,” he said. “It uses a lot more energy than the guy getting up.”