A disappointing night at UFC 328 may have marked the end of Khamzat Chimaev’s run at middleweight. After dropping a split decision to American veteran Sean Strickland in Newark, the UAE-based contender says he is ready to leave the division behind.
One of the biggest takeaways from UFC 328 in Newark was not just Sean Strickland’s split-decision win over Khamzat Chimaev, but what came after it. Following the loss, Chimaev said he no longer wants to compete at middleweight, a major development for a division that has been waiting on clarity at the top.
For American fans, that instantly changes the conversation around 185 pounds. If Chimaev follows through on the move, the middleweight picture opens up and Strickland’s win gains even more value, potentially strengthening his case for another high-profile opportunity. Chimaev, meanwhile, would be shifting the spotlight to a new weight class, where his physicality and wrestling would create immediate intrigue.
According to veteran MMA journalist Damon Martin, Chimaev made his stance clear after the fight, saying he wants to move up and has no interest in staying in this division. That is a significant pivot for a fighter who entered UFC 328 unbeaten and carrying serious title expectations.
The defeat was the first of Chimaev’s professional career. Before running into Strickland in Newark, the 32-year-old had built a perfect 15-0 record and was widely viewed as one of the most dangerous forces in the sport. Now he faces a different kind of pressure: proving that one close loss does not stall his rise, but instead redirects it.
As for Strickland, this result reinforces a familiar narrative in American MMA media — he remains one of the toughest outs in the division, especially in high-leverage fights. Beating an unbeaten name like Chimaev keeps him firmly in the title mix and reminds everyone that his style still creates problems for elite opponents.
The next move matters on both sides: whether Chimaev formally leaves middleweight and where Strickland fits into the title race will be two of the biggest storylines to watch coming out of UFC 328.
