How did Sean Strickland win UFC 328?

Strickland reclaims the middleweight title at UFC 328

Sean Strickland stunned the sport again at UFC 328, reclaiming the UFC middleweight championship from Khamzat Chimaev in the main event.

Multiple results from the event converge on the same outcome: Strickland won by split decision. That means the judges didn’t hand him a unanimous victory, underscoring how competitive the fight was and why it remains a flashpoint among fans.

Why the win matters

• It changes the top of the division. With Chimaev holding the belt going into his first title defense, Strickland’s victory ended his reign and put a new face back on the championship.
• It fuels instant rematch talk. Several separate items point to controversy and dissatisfaction around the result, which typically accelerates pressure for further action—whether that’s a rematch or a clear next challenger.
• It affects rankings and future matchups immediately. Event follow-ups also referenced updated middleweight rankings after UFC 328, reflecting that the result reshaped the division’s hierarchy.

Betting and market context

Beyond the fight itself, UFC 328 had significant financial attention tied to the event’s biggest bout—one item highlights that the betting market tied to the main event saw a major handle figure on Kalshi.

Bottom line

Strickland became a two-time UFC middleweight champion by winning a split-decision fight over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328—an outcome that both shifted the division’s championship picture and quickly sparked calls for what happens next.