Sean Strickland recalls the moment that nearly cost him the UFC 328 title fight

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Sean Strickland says trusting Khamzat Chimaev to keep the fight standing nearly backfired during their heated main event.

The outspoken middleweight captured the title for a second time at UFC 328, pulling off an upset over the previously unbeaten champion. After a rough start where he was dominated in the opening round, Strickland rallied and edged out a split decision, taking two of the three scorecards 48-47.

Still, a late takedown cost him one judge’s card, with Sue Sanidad giving that round to Chimaev. Afterward, Strickland explained that moment came after both fighters had agreed to stand and trade in the centre of the octagon.

Sean Strickland shares Khamzat Chimaev’s ‘Max Holloway’ moment

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Khamzat Chimaev called on Sean Strickland to stand and trade, and while he claims that he didn’t fall for it, the numbers prove otherwise. According to the official stats, Strickland absorbed 72 total strikes compared to just 55 of his own.

The final-round takedown also proved costly as it earned Chimaev the round on Sue Sanidad’s card. It was enough for him to win in the eyes of one judge, though two others sided with Strickland.

“Did you see in the fifth round what he did to me?” Strickland said afterwards. “He pointed and said something like ‘let’s give the people what they want, let’s have the man dance or some s— and I was like ‘okay, I trust you guy that just kicked me in the b—s yesterday’.

“I said ‘I trust you Chimaev, you seem like a real trustworthy guy, we shook hands, I like your smile. So I put my hands up and he f—ing shoots on me.

“So I remember he has me up against the cage and I’m thinking ‘if you f—ing lose this fight because you were a dumb f—— fight and trusted this man?’