Kamaru Usman doesn’t get how Khamzat Chimaev lost the UFC 328 decision

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The UFC 328 main event result is still being debated by many.

Sean Strickland edged out Khamzat Chimaev in a split decision last Saturday in Newark, New Jersey.

Two judges scored the fight 48-47 for the challenger, making him a two-time UFC middleweight champion and ending Chimaev’s title run after just one defence.

But there are some who don’t believe it should have gone that way, including someone who came close to beating Chimaev three years ago.

Usman says Strickland’s jab-focused approach wasn’t enough

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Usman gave Chimaev a tough challenge at UFC 294 in 2023, though he didn’t do enough to get the judges’ nod.

Usman believes the same should have applied to Strickland after his win at the Prudential Center.

Speaking on his Pound 4 Pound podcast with Henry Cejudo, Usman questioned how Strickland could have won a fight largely on the back of his jab.

“I give the fight to Khamzat Chimaev,” Usman said.

“This is my thing, I don’t understand how you win the fight when you were backing up the whole time? And you threw nothing but jabs, really.

“Listen, when one guy is marching forward, he’s throwing jabs as well, and he’s mixing it up, throwing overhands, and he does get some takedowns in there — and he did this for almost five rounds — I don’t see how he loses this fight.

Judges Eric Colon and Sal D’Amato gave Strickland a 48-47 edge. On MMA Decisions, 64.3 percent of fans agreed with that result out of more than 1,400 scorecards submitted.

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