Sean Strickland finally returned to the top. He halted Hamzat Chimaev's unbeaten streak and reclaimed the UFC middleweight title after 2 years and 4 months, once again fastening the championship belt around his waist.
Strickland defeated UFC middleweight champion Hamzat Chimaev by split decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-48) in the main event of UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on the 10th (Korean time). He returned to the top after a long journey since losing the title to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 in 2024.
What made it most meaningful was the opponent. Chimaev had been one of the top monsters in the UFC, riding a 15-fight unbeaten winning streak before this bout. But Strickland eventually broke Chimaev with his characteristic pressure and excellent grappling defense.
The early momentum belonged to Chimaev. In the first round, Chimaev pressured Strickland with powerful pressure and takedowns. But the flow changed from the second round. Strickland began to stop Chimaev's takedowns and seized the momentum by landing powerful right-hand punches in the standing striking exchanges.
In particular, the moment when Chimaev failed a takedown and instead gave Strickland the top position was a decisive moment that changed the course of the fight. Strickland continued to pressure with his jab, and Chimaev gradually wore down.
From the third round Chimaev also chose to engage in striking exchanges. The two fighters engaged in a rough brawl, and Strickland gained the advantage with his steady jab and pressure. However, in the fourth round Chimaev again succeeded with a takedown, bringing the contest back to even.
In the decisive fifth round the champion was finally determined. Chimaev mixed wrestling and striking in an all-out effort, and Strickland did not lose his base until the end. Chimaev succeeded with a total of six takedowns, but Strickland outlanded him in strikes 31-22. In the end, two judges gave their decision to Strickland, crowning a new champion.
The two fighters, who had exchanged heated words before the fight, showed completely different behavior after the bout. Strickland approached Chimaev and apologized, saying, "I crossed the line. I'm sorry," and Chimaev, after his defeat, personally fastened the championship belt around Strickland's waist to congratulate him.
After the fight Strickland expressed respect for Chimaev, saying, "He never backed down. He attacked with everything he had but kept moving forward." He added, "If it weren't for the fans I wouldn't be here. It feels like a dream," showing his emotion.
He mentioned No. 2-ranked Nassourdine Imavov as his next opponent. He said, "I respect the UFC ranking system," and added, "If it's by ranking order, I'll fight anyone anytime."
But the middleweight competition remains hot. Chimaev expressed his desire for a rematch on social media immediately after the fight, saying, "Sean Strickland, let's meet again soon," and former champion Dricus du Plessis, who had beaten Strickland twice, did not hide his own desire to reclaim the title.
A historic fight also took place in the co-main event. UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van defeated Japan's Taira Tatsuro by TKO at 1:32 of the fifth round to successfully defend his title for the first time. In the title fight between Asian fighters in the UFC men's division for the first time, the champion from Myanmar won.
Van's excellent grappling defense also shone. He struggled with early takedowns from Taira but gradually adapted and completely reversed the momentum with precise striking from the second round. Finally, in the fifth round, after defending all of Taira's takedowns, he finished the fight with powerful combinations.
After the fight Van marveled, "Taira was really tough." He added, "Now the world knows Myanmar. Myanmar has a champion," and expressed his gratitude to fans in his hometown.
Meanwhile, Taira's bid to become Japan's first UFC champion was once again thwarted. Japanese fighters have challenged for UFC titles a total of nine times to date, but not a single one has reached the top yet.
[Photo] Provided by the UFC.
[OSEN]