Overview
- Strickland beat Chimaev by split decision on Saturday at Newark’s Prudential Center, with judges Eric Colon and Sal D’Amato scoring it 48-47 for the challenger and one judge siding with Chimaev.
- Scorecards drew mixed reactions as MMA Decisions showed fans leaning toward Strickland and media tallies nearly split, while Arman Tsarukyan said “we got submitted by the judges” and Dana White scored the final round for Strickland.
- White indicated Nassourdine Imavov is expected to get the next title shot, and Imavov escalated the rivalry by warning on X that Strickland would “pay” for insults toward his religion, family, and nation.
- Chimaev told White he wants to move to light heavyweight after the loss, and fighters such as Dustin Poirier, Nate Diaz, and Sean Brady argued the cordial glove taps and post-fight embrace hurt Chimaev’s intimidation aura.
- Head coach Eric Nicksick said Strickland won by controlling center space, defending early wrestling, and leaning on his jab, and he questioned the weigh-in procedure for Chimaev even as the commission ruled the champion made weight.