The judges scored the bout 48-47, 48-47, and 47-48 in favor of Strickland, according to the official result. Chimaev had won the title at UFC 319 in August with a dominant decision over Dricus du Plessis, controlling him for 21:40 of the 25-minute bout and winning all five rounds on the scorecards. As of 9 December 2025, Chimaev was ranked #3 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.
Born on 1 May 1994 in Gvardeyskoye, Chechen Republic, Russia, Chimaev emigrated to Sweden with his mother in 2013 at age 18, joining his older brother. He became a three-time Swedish national champion in freestyle wrestling, winning gold at 86 kg in 2016 and 2017 and at 92 kg in 2018, with an overall record of 12–0 across three national tournaments, including three pins, seven technical falls, and a combined score of 105-2. He also won a bronze medal at the Russian National Championships at the junior level.
I was inspired to start MMA after watching Aldo vs. McGregor during a work break.
Chimaev started training in MMA at age 23 at Allstars Training Center in Stockholm and had three amateur MMA fights between September 2017 and April 2018. He began his UFC career as a middleweight, then primarily fought at 170 pounds before returning to 185 pounds, where he currently competes. His rise included a notable missed weight controversy at UFC 279, where he missed weight by over seven pounds for a scheduled fight with Nate Diaz, leading to a bout with Kevin Holland instead.
Chimaev became middleweight champion at UFC 319 but lost the title to Strickland at UFC 328. Outside the UFC, Chimaev defeated Jack Hermansson in a freestyle wrestling match on 19 November 2021 at Bulldog Fight Night 9, winning on points. He also competed in judo tournaments and four combat sambo fights.
His belt? He lost his belt 10 years ago, so I don’t know, this guy comes off a little bit drunk or is it Proper something he’s drinking all the time?
On 18 April 2026, it was announced on the RAF 08 broadcast that Chimaev had signed with Real American Freestyle, joining its Cruiserweight division. Ahead of UFC 328, Conor McGregor tweeted that Chimaev and Strickland were competing with his 185lb title on the line. McGregor previously held titles at 155 and 145 pounds and fought as high as 170 pounds, but never at middleweight.
He has not fought in the octagon since July 2021, and his only professional boxing bout was a TKO loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in August 2017. The UFC stripped McGregor of his lightweight title in 2018 due to inactivity.
I am open to boxing and told Zuffa Boxing people I can show my boxing.
Chimaev dismissed McGregor's claim, saying, "His belt? " Chimaev has mentioned the possibility of moving up to light heavyweight and even heavyweight. com, Chimaev described training with heavyweight fighters like Alexander Gustafsson, Jimi Manuwa, and Gokhan Saki, and expressed openness to boxing.
He is scheduled to fight Paulo Costa at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi on October 21. " UFC statistics define Str. Def.
I have always trained with heavyweight guys like Alexander Gustafsson, Jimi Manuwa, Gokhan Saki.
as Significant Strike Defence, TD Avg. as Average Takedowns Landed per 15 minutes, and TD Def. as Takedown Defense.
Arman Tsarukyan could beat Sean Strickland.
I spent time with family and friends after the loss.
I embrace the loss as necessary in my pursuit of greatness.
I am not a good loser and the loss has exploded a desire in me.
I have no excuses and was beaten by a better fighter on the night.