All articles tagged with #middleweight title
After UFC 328, where Khamzat Chimaev lost his middleweight title defense to Sean Strickland, Dana White said Chimaev planned to move up to light heavyweight due to weigh‑in issues; Arman Tsarukyan publicly backed his partner to win back the belt, countering White and signaling a potential rematch path.
Sean Strickland edged Khamzat Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328 to reclaim the UFC middleweight championship, two judges scoring 48-47 for Strickland to Chimaev’s 47-48 on the third; Chimaev suffered his first pro loss in 16 fights. In the co-main, Joshua Van defended the flyweight title with a fifth-round stoppage over Tatsuro Taira, and Jim Miller returned with a first-round rear-naked choke victory over Jared Gordon; Miller’s win came as his family supported him through his teenage son Wyatt’s cancer battle. Strickland later apologized for inflammatory pre-fight rhetoric that drew security concerns.
Khamzat Chimaev released a brief unseen sparring clip of him pressuring Sean Strickland ahead of their UFC 328 middleweight title fight, with Strickland claiming Chimaev bullied him; the video is short and the hype battle continues as Chimaev defends his title and Strickland seeks a second middleweight crown.
Costello van Steenis retained the PFL middleweight title by stopping Fabian Edwards in the third round (1:49) at PFL Madrid; in the co-main, AJ McKee defeated Adam Borics by unanimous decision despite a dislocated toe, as the event marked PFL’s first major MMA show in Spain, with several other card finishes.
UFC 328 will crown or confirm the middleweight champion as Khamzat Chimaev defends his title against Sean Strickland on May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. The card also features a heavyweight eliminator: Volkov vs. Cortes-Acosta. The rivalry between Chimaev and Strickland has been fueled by years of trash talk and a past sparring session, with Chimaev remaining undefeated in nine UFC appearances and Strickland aiming for another title bid after a KO win and a controversial year.
Khamzat Chimaev reacted positively to Nassourdine Imavov's victory at UFC Paris, where Imavov secured a win that positions him as a top contender for the middleweight title, though the final challenger has yet to be determined. Imavov expressed his desire to face Chimaev next, emphasizing his impressive winning streak and his recent victory over Caio Borralho, which he believes qualifies him for a title shot.
Khamzat Chimaev's dominant victory at UFC 319 has set the stage for his next title defense, with top contender Nassourdine Imavov confidently predicting he will be the next challenger, while Joe Rogan highlights Reinier de Ridder as another potential threat in the middleweight division.
Khamzat Chimaev dominated Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, controlling nearly every aspect of the fight with overwhelming striking, takedowns, and control time, ultimately winning the UFC middleweight title in a lopsided unanimous decision.
Khamzat Chimaev won the UFC middleweight title from Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 with a unanimous decision, joining an elite group of undefeated champions and sparking excitement in the MMA community.
Khamzat Chimaev dominated Dricus du Plessis with ground control and volume strikes to win the UFC middleweight title by unanimous decision at UFC 319, showcasing a one-sided, wrestling-heavy performance that overwhelmed his opponent.
Khamzat Chimaev challenges Dricus du Plessis for the middleweight title at UFC 319 in Chicago, with du Plessis defending his belt successfully. The event features notable fights including Michael Page's victory over Jared Cannonier and Tim Elliott's submission win over Kai Asakura. The fight card includes a mix of title bouts and debut performances, with live updates and results provided.
Dricus du Plessis dismisses size concerns after footage suggested Khamzat Chimaev is significantly taller, emphasizing that size doesn't determine fight outcomes and expressing confidence in defeating Chimaev at UFC Chicago.
Joe Rogan praised Khamzat Chimaev as 'magnitudes greater' than other middleweights ahead of his UFC title fight against Dricus Du Plessis, highlighting Chimaev's exceptional grappling and recent dominant performances, including breaking Robert Whittaker's jaw.
Robert Whittaker expresses disappointment over potential middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya, acknowledging the draw of Adesanya and the champion's request for the matchup. Whittaker envisions Adesanya dominating du Plessis for five rounds but also acknowledges du Plessis' toughness and potential to disrupt Adesanya's rhythm. Meanwhile, Whittaker is focused on his own upcoming fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Saudi Arabia.
Robert Whittaker is set to face Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight main event at UFC Saudi Arabia, viewing it as a title eliminator bout and an opportunity to reclaim the middleweight title. Despite the unexpected nature of the fight announcement, Whittaker is eager for the challenge and excited to be part of UFC's debut event in Saudi Arabia. With both fighters carrying momentum, Whittaker anticipates an honest and historic fight in Riyadh on June 22.