Overview
- Sean Strickland reclaimed the UFC middleweight title by split decision over Khamzat Chimaev, a fight that took place on May 9 and in which Strickland later said he entered carrying a shoulder injury.
- Strickland says the damage came from a fight‑week sparring session with PFL champion Johnny Eblen and described the problem as a Type II AC separation with an extended Type V SLAP tear and partial rotator cuff tearing.
- On Joe Rogan's recommendation Strickland visited the Ways2Well clinic in Austin where clinicians on camera identified an AC separation and a small muscle tear and said surgery may not be required.
- Clinic staff indicated Strickland was being treated with conservative measures including reported stem cell therapy, a choice that could shorten a typical multi‑month surgical recovery timeline.
- The medical update leaves the UFC and contenders like Khamzat Chimaev and Nassourdine Imavov waiting on formal athletic‑commission clearance before the promotion finalizes a rematch or moves to other title challengers.