Strickland Reclaimed the Belt
Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, to regain the middleweight title. Four days later, Strickland said he had suffered several shoulder injuries during the five-round fight.
A split decision in Newark
Chimaev controlled the first round with wrestling, but Strickland defended more effectively in later rounds and returned to his feet after takedowns. Both men completed all five rounds at Prudential Center.
Two judges scored the bout 48–47 for Strickland, while one scored it 48–47 for Chimaev. The split decision gave Strickland his second UFC middleweight title reign and handed Chimaev his first defeat.
Strickland’s nose was visibly bloodied during the fight, and initial reports mentioned a possible fracture. He later disclosed that his more serious injuries involved his shoulder.
The injuries were disclosed afterward
On May 13, Strickland posted that he had a type 2 AC separation, an extended type 5 SLAP tear and partial rotator-cuff tearing or tendinosis. He also received an indefinite medical suspension from the New Jersey commission.
The injury report followed the title fight and did not change the result. UFC’s official scorecards confirm the split decision, while contemporary reporting quotes Strickland’s post-fight disclosure.
The article separates the verified championship outcome from the later medical update. It does not claim that the injuries affected the judges’ decision or resulted from a specific exchange.
Sources
- UFC: official result and scorecards
- Sherdog: reported injuries and medical suspension
- MMA Fighting: fight-night and immediate post-fight report
