Sean Strickland stuns Khamzat Chimaev to hand Russian first loss and regain title at UFC 328

Also unexpected were the frequent glove touches between the rivals, given the intensity of their pre-fight exchanges, which had led the UFC to employ extra security in the cage before the contest started.

Chimaev controlled Strickland for the entirety of the first round but grappled much less thereafter (Reuters)

Chimaev’s body language was discouraging heading into round three, with the Russian needing a serious pep talk from his team. And he seemed to narrowly lose the round, which was contested entirely on the feet, after Chimaev did not try a single takedown.

He did bloody the American’s nose, however, and appeared to win a similar-looking fourth round after screaming aloud before it began. Looking somewhat replenished, Chimaev landed jabs to the body and head of Strickland throughout, intermittently adding crosses as well. He also dumped Strickland to the mat with a takedown in the final minute, but the former champion rose to his feet just before the buzzer.

“You’re the f***ing boogeyman, Sean,” Strickland was told by his coach heading into the fifth and final round. He was soon taken down but did well to get back up, before landing jabs and sporadic crosses to bloody Chimaev’s face. He also landed intermittent front kicks to the body, a trademark weapon of his. A late takedown attempt by Chimaev was denied by Strickland, who finished the fight well on the feet, although Chimaev was landing right hands here and there.

Strickland has twice won UFC gold with huge upset victories (Getty)

Shortly thereafter, the scorecards were announced, as Chimaev’s unbeaten run came to an end (15-1), while his middleweight-title reign ended with zero successful defences. He is now expected to move up to light-heavyweight.

Meanwhile, Strickland (31-7) became a two-time champion. He first held the belt from 2023 until 2024, after outpointing Israel Adesanya in another seismic upset to win the gold.