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Sean Strickland won the middleweight title at UFC 328 despite suffering a Grade 1 AC joint separation from a sparring injury just days before the fight. He discussed the injury and his strategy against Khamzat Chimaev during the post-fight press conference.
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Sean Strickland fought at less than 100% at UFC 328. | Getty/UFC
If it seems like Sean Strickland was even more relliant on his jab than usual at UFC 328, well, there might be a reason for that.
Strickland regained the middleweight title with a split-decision triumph over Khamzat Chimaev in Saturdayâs main event at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. After being grounded for the majority of Round 1, Strickland gradually built momentum by turning the fight into a standup battle â where he was able to outduel his Chechen rival. Still, Strickland wasnât 100% during his upset victory due to an injury he sustained while sparring former Bellator champ Johnny Eblen.
"You guys want to hear something funny?" Strickland said at the post-fight press conference. "So on Tuesday, I'm sparring Johnny, that motherfâer, the PFL champ. And I'm at Plinio's gym, Cruz's gym, and he fâing shoots on me, and I hit his brick-ass wall, and I separated my shoulder. So I had a Grade 1 AC joint separation on Tuesday.â
Ultimately, Strickland was able to overcome the injury, as he outlanded Chimaev by a 123-to-98 count in significant strikes. And though he was taken down nine times in the bout, Chimaev was only able to log 7:16 of control time in the 25-minute contest â and nearly five minutes of that occurred in Round 1.
As for the supposed bad blood with Chimaev, it appeared to be short lived, if it existed at all. The two fighters were cordial during the fight, and Chimaev wrapped the belt around Strickland at the conclusion of the championship clash.
âThere is something, unless youâve experienced it, you just donât know what itâs like,â Strickland said. âWhen you go and fight another man, your soul is just exposed. When youâre fâking bleeding, and heâs bleeding, I want to quit; he wants to quit, we donât want to be there, you just have this level of respect for one another. It transcends race, religion, nationality, country. Itâs something that you just donât know. You kind of become someoneâs brother after you and him try to die, win or lose.â
Sean Strickland suffered a Grade 1 AC joint separation while sparring just days before UFC 328.
Strickland won the fight against Chimaev by split decision, relying heavily on his jab despite not being at full strength.
During a sparring session with Johnny Eblen, Strickland injured his shoulder after hitting a wall while being taken down.
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Strickland also admitted that much of the animosity with Chimaev may have been manufactured in the name of selling the drama.
âI sell fights,â Strickland said. âLook at the UFC, how fâing boring it is. Really, the UFC is so fâing boring. Do you even know half the [roster]? Other than Alex [Pereira], and he doesnât even talk. Heâs just big and scary. That guy just knocks everybody out. But other than Alex, itâs flâng boring.â
With Chimaev potentially moving up to 205 pounds after UFC 328, Strickland is more than willing to take on the next deserving contender. At this point that appears to be Nassourdine Imavov, who was widely regarded as the most worthy challenger for Chimaev before Strickland jumped the contenderâs queue. Strickland defeated Imavov in January 2023.
âI truly believe in UFC rankings,â Strickland said. âI think they fâ-ing matter, and I hate when guys jump them. So, if thatâs what the UFC, thatâs the rankings, thatâs who it is. Letâs go.â