All articles tagged with #chimaev
Sean Strickland won back the UFC middleweight title with a split-decision upset of Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328, then returned to Xtreme Couture to thank his teammates and celebrate with the belt, while eyeing potential next moves including a rematch with Chimaev or a ranking-aligned bout with Nassourdine Imavov.
A Robbery Review of UFC 328’s Strickland vs. Chimaev concludes the split-decision win for Strickland was controversial yet not a robbery; Strickland outlanded Chimaev in significant strikes and controlled much of the bout on the feet, while Chimaev had early moments and late pressure. Fans and media were split, but the article maintains the result was legitimate, even if others would score it differently.
After UFC 328, Khamzat Chimaev lost to Sean Strickland by split decision and drew heavy criticism for smiling in the cage; Jiri Prochazka publicly questioned Chimaev’s demeanor, saying warriors must live the role and show fire even under pressure. Prochazka, who recently lost a vacant light heavyweight title bid, may move back to light heavyweight, potentially paving the way for a future Chimaev–Prochazka showdown. Dana White had branded the Strickland-Chimaev rivalry as one of the UFC’s top bitter feuds, with Strickland crowned as the new middleweight champion in the event.
At UFC 328's official weigh-ins in Newark, Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland weighed 185 pounds for the middleweight title, while Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira hit 125 for the flyweight title. The rest of the card features Volkov vs Cortes Acosta, Brady vs Buckley, and Green vs Stephens; Jeremy Stephens weighed in at 160 pounds, missing the lightweight limit and forfeiting 30% of his purse. The event takes place May 9, 2026 at Prudential Center and will air on Paramount+.
UFC 328’s pre-fight press conference is set for May 7 in Newark, with Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland on one side and Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira on the other; the event will stream live on Paramount+ and UFC YouTube, and security plans are in place as tensions rise between Chimaev and Strickland.
Nassourdine Imavov won his UFC Fight Night main event in Paris, calling out Khamzat Chimaev for a title shot after a dominant decision over Caio Borralho, positioning himself as a top contender in the middleweight division.
Nassourdine Imavov's dominant win at UFC Paris has raised questions about his eligibility for a title shot against Khamzat Chimaev, but he may need to wait longer for a title opportunity. The event also featured notable performances, including Benoit Saint Denis' victory and a record-tying number of finishes, with discussions on future matchups and implications for the fighters involved.
Nassourdine Imavov secured a decisive victory over Caio Borralho in Paris, strengthening his claim for a UFC middleweight title shot and calling for a fight against Khamzat Chimaev, amid a night of notable UFC performances and retirements.
Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev are set to fight at UFC 319 with Du Plessis favored to win by knockout, leveraging his well-rounded skills and endurance against Chimaev's explosive style and early finish tactics.
UFC 319 features Dricus Du Plessis defending his middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev, with additional fights including Jared Cannonier vs Michael Page, taking place at the United Center in Chicago on August 16, 2025, with prelims on ESPN and UFC Fight Pass and the main card on ESPN+ PPV.
UFC 319 features Dricus Du Plessis defending his middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev, with other notable fights including Jared Cannonier vs Michael Page, taking place at the United Center in Chicago on August 16, 2025, with live coverage on ESPN+ and PPV.
UFC 319 at the United Center featured Dricus du Plessis defending his middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev, with du Plessis aiming to extend his 11-fight winning streak and Chimaev remaining undefeated at 14-0. The event also marked Aaron Pico's UFC debut against Lerone Murphy, along with several other fights across prelims and early prelims.
Ahead of UFC 319 in Chicago, Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev faced off with intense exchanges, including a heated confrontation that was broken up by Dana White, as anticipation builds for their title fight amid ongoing debates about Chimaev's activity and potential defenses.
UFC 319's fight card has been significantly impacted just days before the event, losing two fights due to injuries, including King Green vs. Diego Ferreira and Rodrigo Sezinando vs. Daniil Donchenko, but a last-minute addition of Susurkaev Baisangur has been made to the lineup.
UFC 319 featuring Du Plessis vs Chimaev is scheduled for August 16 in Chicago, with some bouts rescheduled due to injuries and a new middleweight fight added, including UFC debutant Susurkaev and Nolan.