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Sean Strickland Edges Khamzat Chimaev by Split Decision to Reclaim UFC Middleweight Title

Dana White signals Nassourdine Imavov as the next title challenger.

Overview

  • Strickland, who fought Chimaev on Saturday in Newark, won 48-47 on two scorecards to hand the former champion his first loss.
  • White said a Strickland–Imavov rematch is expected for the belt, and Imavov warned on X that Strickland would “pay” for past insults.
  • Strickland previously beat Imavov in a short-notice 2023 bout at light heavyweight, which helps frame the rematch at 185 pounds.
  • Debate over the UFC 328 scoring persists, with MMA Decisions fan tallies leaning to Strickland and a split among media cards.
  • Khamzat Chimaev told White he plans to move to light heavyweight, then hinted at a Strickland rematch as peers questioned his aura and the pair’s reconciled ‘beef.’