Pros react after Sean Strickland defeats Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328: “Wow that decision!”

Tonight’s UFC 328 event was headlined by a middleweight title fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.

Chimaev (15-1 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since claiming the promotion‘s middleweight title with a lopsided decision victory over Dricus Du Plessis this past August at UFC 319. Prior to that title-earning triumph, ‘Borz’ was coming off wins over former UFC champions Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker.

Meanwhile, Sean Strickland (31-7 MMA) was most previously competed this past February, where he earned an impressive third-round TKO victory over Anthony Hernandez. Prior to that win, the brash American was coming off a decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis in a fight for the promotion’s middleweight title at UFC 312.

Tonight’s UFC 328 main event proved to be a hard fought back and forth affair. Khamzat Chimaev had a dominant opening rounds, smothering Sean Strickland on the canvas. However, the American stormed back in round two, even landing a takedown of his own. Rounds three, four and five were basically contested on the feet, and although both men landed good shots, it was Strickland who ultimately walked away with a split decision victory after twenty-five minutes of cage time.

Official UFC 328 Results: Sean Strickland def. Khamzat Chimaev by split decision

Check out how the pros reacted to ‘Chimaev vs. Strickland’ below:

Let’s go Khamzat 🥇
And still InshaAllah

— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) May 10, 2026

Just let them fight I don’t wanna hear introductions

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 10, 2026

Might be wrong but I think this fight is all hype. Khamzat by blanket and maybe sub at some point

— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) May 10, 2026

1-0 Khamzat. Strickland needs to find a way to keep the fight standing but Chimaev’s ground control is second to none #UFC328

— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) May 10, 2026

Wow. Things are getting interesting now. Sean found his range and controlled Khamzat for most of the round. We’re in for a treat…

1-1 #UFC328

— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) May 10, 2026

Takedown defense for Strickland is holding up after round 1. He still needs to land significant strikes to sway a decision. lots of fight left. #UFC328

— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) May 10, 2026

Khamzat didn’t even attempt a takedown this round. Strickland is proving to be a problem for him. We’ll see how the championship rounds go

2-1 Strickland #UFC328

— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) May 10, 2026

Close round 4 but I think Khamzat did enough to take this round. Could easily be tied going into the final round. #UFC328

— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) May 10, 2026

This wolf is a 🐩 poodle . Give me him asap

— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) May 10, 2026

2-2 going into 5…. #ufc328

— Corey 'Overtime' Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) May 10, 2026

3-2 STRICKLAND!!!

AND NEW!!!!#andnew #ufc328

— Corey 'Overtime' Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) May 10, 2026

Holy shit !!! Wow and new

— Sean O'Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) May 10, 2026

Post-fight reactions to Sean Strickland defeating Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328:

WHAT CAN I SAY?!….. I KNOW BALL!!!!! Called the fight exactly how I expected except for Sean pressuring forward… AND NEW!!#andnew #ufc328 #iknowball

— Corey 'Overtime' Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) May 10, 2026

Weight cut must’ve been aweful

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 10, 2026

Somebody lost a lot of money!

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) May 10, 2026

What a performance by Strickland and an amazing fight. 48-47 Sean was the correct score. Had it tied going into the final round and Strickland did enough to pull off the final round 👏 #UFC328

— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) May 10, 2026

Wow that decision 🤷🏿‍♂️👊🏿

— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) May 10, 2026

Strickland the king of the upsets 👏👏👏

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) May 10, 2026

Who would you like to see Strickland fight next following his victory over Chimaev this evening in New Jersey? Share your thoughts in the comment section Penn Nation!