Sean Strickland is UFC middleweight champion again after a split decision win over previously unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 328 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Two judges scored the fight 48-47 for Strickland, while the third judge had it 48-47 for Chimaev, handing the former champion the belt and Chimaev the first loss of his career.
Strickland said he broke his nose during the fight, but still did enough on the scorecards to recapture the title and become a two-time UFC middleweight champion.
Chimaev entered the bout as the reigning middleweight champion and a more than 5-1 betting favorite, but came up just short on the judges’ tallies. After the decision was read, Chimaev embraced Strickland in the cage and placed the championship belt around his waist.
