In the primary occasion of UFC 328, Sean Strickland dominated Khamzat Chimaev in 5 rounds, profitable a cut up choice and turning into champion once more.
Regardless of the unhealthy blood between the 2, Strickland caught to his standard technique and blocked the nasty lead jab that battered Chimaev for the higher a part of 25 minutes. Chimaev had a dominant opening spherical with takedowns and floor management, however couldn’t sustain with the tempo and Strickland fought again.
There have been some shut fights, however Strickland’s means to land with quantity and precision proved the distinction, with two judges giving him scorecards of 48-47 and a 3rd giving Chimaev a rating of 48-47. That was sufficient for Strickland to win, and he really promptly apologized for a few of the vitriol he spewed previous to the match.
“I simply wish to apologize to the American followers, the Muslim followers and the Christian followers,” Strickland stated after being topped champion once more. “I attempted too laborious. I admit that. I respect you all.”
“There are nice fighters in Chechnya. They’re barbaric. He is fucking barbaric. I needs to be a greater instance, however I am attempting to promote you this battle.”
After the match ended, Chimaev really wrapped the title belt round Strickland’s waist earlier than leaving the Octagon. Strickland additionally praised Chimaev, who gave his all through the 25 minutes of attrition.
“That bastard is rarely coming again,” Strickland stated. “I am hitting him as laborious as I can and he simply retains shifting ahead. It is loopy.”
The battle really began with only a contact of gloves, however then Chimaev closed the gap and scored the primary takedown in lower than 15 seconds. Chimaev shortly tried to get behind Strickland as he defended on the bottom.
Chimaev began engaged on submissions and ultimately secured the place, however Strickland remained calm and defended effectively earlier than scrambling to his toes. Nevertheless, Chimaev maintained management and continued to tug Strickland to the bottom once more.
Chimaev virtually choked simply earlier than the top of the spherical, however the champion dominated for the primary 5 minutes.
Strickland took up his place within the heart of the cage and began the second spherical with a jab, however Chimaev continued to inch ahead searching for a takedown. When Chimaev took his final shot, Strickland defended it and truly ended up piggybacking Chimaev into an surprising place.
Strickland forgave him and instantly started connecting with punches, shutting down one other wrestling try by Chimaev. Strickland was again on high, throwing punches and pinning Chimaev down with out a lot resistance.
Chimaev landed a 3rd assault, however Strickland instantly countered with a preemptive left jab and again up high with a proper hand.
The jab stung Chimaev, who tried to battle again with a giant looping punch, nevertheless it did not discover a dwelling in Strickland’s chin. Strickland was touchdown quite a lot of pictures, however was affected person to keep away from utilizing an excessive amount of pressure and giving Chimaev a takedown.
An enormous proper hand from Chimaev homered within the fourth spherical as Chimaev continued to chase, forcing Strickland again into the cage once more. He additionally threw a physique kick, however Strickland could not react a lot.
Strickland lastly responded with a stiff proper hand, as Chimaev was starting to take harm to his face. However Chimaev blended issues up properly, going to the physique after which again to the pinnacle once more, which gave the impression to be attending to Strickland.
That is when Chimaev lastly put Strickland on the canvas for one more takedown and held his place till time was up.
Chimaev instantly received a takedown with 5 minutes left, and Strickland desperately tried to shake him off and get again to his toes. From there, Strickland began touchdown lead jabs once more, however wasn’t actually placing collectively combos.
Halfway by the spherical, Strickland beat Chimaev with a stiff proper hand whereas firing off a left jab that was persistently touchdown. Chimaev lastly received a takedown and moved ahead, however Strickland resisted effectively and reset within the center.
Strickland continued his onslaught with that lead left hand and secured the victory as effectively, clinching the UFC middleweight title within the fifth spherical.
As for Chimaev, his title reign ends virtually as shortly because it started. Regardless of overwhelming odds in Chimaev’s favor, Chimaev’s conditioning clearly failed him and Strickland was capable of drag him into deep water, the place he took over and gained the battle to develop into a two-time UFC champion.
