Strickland stuns rival Chimaev for UFC's middleweight title Sean Strickland (31-7) reclaimed the UFC middleweight championship with a razor-close split decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev (17-1) at UFC 238 in Newark, N.J. The five-round contest, which ended in a 48-47 split decision for Strickland, marked his second title reign after he first won the belt in September 2023 by defeating Israel Adesanya. Chimaev, who had previously been undefeated, fell to 17-1 following the loss. Two of the three judges scored the fight in favor of Strickland, while the third split the decision in Chimaev’s favor. The result highlighted the intense rivalry between the two fighters, whose animosity had simmered since a 2022 incident at Strickland’s Las Vegas gym. The buildup to the fight was marred by personal attacks from Strickland, who called Chimaev a "coward" and a "dog" during promotional appearances. The tension escalated further when Chimaev kicked Strickland during a promotional stare-down on Thursday, prompting the UFC to bolster security measures. Police were stationed outside the venue, and the fighters were housed separately to prevent any incidents. Despite the hostility, both fighters displayed mutual respect after the bout, with Chimaev wrapping the championship belt around Strickland’s waist. Strickland’s victory was hard-earned, as the fight began with Chimaev dominating the early rounds. In the first 15 seconds, Chimaev took Strickland down and spent much of the first round on top, attempting rear-naked chokes. Strickland barely managed to survive the round, relying on defensive tactics to avoid submission. The momentum shifted dramatically in the second round when Chimaev’s energy waned, and his takedowns lost their explosive power.#israel_adesanya #khamzat_chimaev #sean_strickland #ufc_238 #newark_nj
