Sean Strickland
Tarzan
USA
Claims gold in razor-close scrap
Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) at UFC 328 on Saturday in Newark to become the new UFC Middleweight Champion.
ANALYSIS
Round 1 went about as well as it could have for Strickland, as he made Chimaev work on the ground and defended submission attempts following an easy takedown. It was clear that the champion was already tired in Round 2, as he flopped to his back after Strickland sprawled to defend a takedown, which allowed "Tarzan" to win the round from top position. The fight was a back-and-forth battle thereafter, with Strickland content to circle away from the cage, pop his jab, and keep himself safe from big strikes. While it was enough for Strickland to pick up the win, his lack of assertiveness nearly cost him here, as there was no point at which he tried to press his tired opponent. Though there are criticisms to make, the reality is that Strickland is now a two-time middleweight champion, winning both times as a heavy underdog. His style may not always be the most pleasing to watch, but Strickland has honed his skills and is always content to take the most efficient path to victory. This simplicity has carried him on one of the most improbable runs in UFC history. Strickland improved to 31-7-0 in professional MMA as a result of the victory.
Round 1 went about as well as it could have for Strickland, as he made Chimaev work on the ground and defended submission attempts following an easy takedown. It was clear that the champion was already tired in Round 2, as he flopped to his back after Strickland sprawled to defend a takedown, which allowed "Tarzan" to win the round from top position. The fight was a back-and-forth battle thereafter, with Strickland content to circle away from the cage, pop his jab, and keep himself safe from big strikes. While it was enough for Strickland to pick up the win, his lack of assertiveness nearly cost him here, as there was no point at which he tried to press his tired opponent. Though there are criticisms to make, the reality is that Strickland is now a two-time middleweight champion, winning both times as a heavy underdog. His style may not always be the most pleasing to watch, but Strickland has honed his skills and is always content to take the most efficient path to victory. This simplicity has carried him on one of the most improbable runs in UFC history. Strickland improved to 31-7-0 in professional MMA as a result of the victory.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Booked for title fight
Strickland will fight Khamzat Chimaev in a title bout at UFC 328 in Newark on May 9, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Strickland will fight for the middleweight belt in May, a bout that will be the main event at UFC 328. Strickland is coming off a shock TKO win over Anthony Hernandez and will now take on the undefeated Chimaev. Strickland has lost his last two title fights, both to Dricus Du Plessis, so he will look to bounce back in Newark.
Strickland will fight for the middleweight belt in May, a bout that will be the main event at UFC 328. Strickland is coming off a shock TKO win over Anthony Hernandez and will now take on the undefeated Chimaev. Strickland has lost his last two title fights, both to Dricus Du Plessis, so he will look to bounce back in Newark.
Stuns Anthony Hernandez
Strickland defeated Anthony Hernandez via TKO (strikes) at 2:23 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Houston.
ANALYSIS
Continue to bet against the soon-to-be 35-year-old Strickland at your own peril. In this case, he came through, and did so with ease as a +225 underdog. Strickland's elite size and trademark jab all but eliminated Hernandez's two greatest weapons, his wrestling game and cardio. Over the course of the first two rounds, Hernandez attempted just a single takedown (it failed), and even that he didn't appear to have his heart in. It was nice to see Sean open up when he had a chance to earn the stoppage. It began with a brutal knee up the middle before several unanswered strikes forced referee Herb Dean to step in. He gave Hernandez every chance to continue. It's important to remember that Strickland hasn't lost to anyone other that Dricus du Plessis since January of 2023. A performance like this against the hottest guy in the division will get Sean right back into title contention, in addition to earning him a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Continue to bet against the soon-to-be 35-year-old Strickland at your own peril. In this case, he came through, and did so with ease as a +225 underdog. Strickland's elite size and trademark jab all but eliminated Hernandez's two greatest weapons, his wrestling game and cardio. Over the course of the first two rounds, Hernandez attempted just a single takedown (it failed), and even that he didn't appear to have his heart in. It was nice to see Sean open up when he had a chance to earn the stoppage. It began with a brutal knee up the middle before several unanswered strikes forced referee Herb Dean to step in. He gave Hernandez every chance to continue. It's important to remember that Strickland hasn't lost to anyone other that Dricus du Plessis since January of 2023. A performance like this against the hottest guy in the division will get Sean right back into title contention, in addition to earning him a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
To headline UFC Houston
Strickland will take on Anthony Hernandez in a middleweight matchup at UFC Houston on Feb. 21, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
We last saw Strickland in February of 2025 in a title fight against Dricus Du Plessis, where he came up short for the second time. DDP has since lost his belt, but Strickland will have to first get through Hernandez -- who is on an eight-fight winning streak -- before getting another title shot. Strickland has the better volume striking numbers, though Hernandez offers a bigger wrestling threat (though Strickland does have a solid 76 percent takedown defense). This headline fight is scheduled for five rounds.
We last saw Strickland in February of 2025 in a title fight against Dricus Du Plessis, where he came up short for the second time. DDP has since lost his belt, but Strickland will have to first get through Hernandez -- who is on an eight-fight winning streak -- before getting another title shot. Strickland has the better volume striking numbers, though Hernandez offers a bigger wrestling threat (though Strickland does have a solid 76 percent takedown defense). This headline fight is scheduled for five rounds.
Routed in title rematch
Strickland was unable to regain the UFC Middleweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Dricus Du Plessis via unanimous decision (45-50, 45-50, 46-49) at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia.
ANALYSIS
These two fought a little over a year ago. Strickland lost that one via split decision, and there was a case to be made he deserved to win. This one? No chance. Sean was in first gear from start to finish. He was able to get absolutely nothing going offensively. In the rare instances in which he did land, it was one-and-done. Strickland is an excellent striker, but he works almost exclusively behind his jab, and his skill set simply isn't one that is conducive to closing the gap when he falls behind early. He just doesn't land enough big shots to be effective in the eyes of the judges. Where Sean goes from here is an open question. He'll be 34 years of age in a couple weeks. It's highly unlikely he ever fights for UFC gold again -- and a certainty as long as du Plessis holds the belt. That said, he should continue to get notable bouts because his popularity remains significant.
These two fought a little over a year ago. Strickland lost that one via split decision, and there was a case to be made he deserved to win. This one? No chance. Sean was in first gear from start to finish. He was able to get absolutely nothing going offensively. In the rare instances in which he did land, it was one-and-done. Strickland is an excellent striker, but he works almost exclusively behind his jab, and his skill set simply isn't one that is conducive to closing the gap when he falls behind early. He just doesn't land enough big shots to be effective in the eyes of the judges. Where Sean goes from here is an open question. He'll be 34 years of age in a couple weeks. It's highly unlikely he ever fights for UFC gold again -- and a certainty as long as du Plessis holds the belt. That said, he should continue to get notable bouts because his popularity remains significant.
Gets another shot at UFC gold
Strickland (leg) will challenge for the UFC Middleweight Championship in the main event of UFC 312 on Feb. 8, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
This is a rematch of a title fight that took place in January of 2024 in which Du Plessis became the champion via split decision despite Strickland out-landing him 173-to-137 in significant strikes. The judges ultimately determined that du Plessis landed the more damaging blows, and the fact Strickland gave up six takedowns didn't help his cause either. Since then, Strickland picked up a split-decision victory over Paulo Costa in June, but has been sidelined since due to a possible leg injury. Du Plessis also picked up a victory of his own, submitting former champion Israel Adesanya last August. Look for the odds to be relatively even here, as Strickland could find success employing a similar game plan and fighting behind his jab.
This is a rematch of a title fight that took place in January of 2024 in which Du Plessis became the champion via split decision despite Strickland out-landing him 173-to-137 in significant strikes. The judges ultimately determined that du Plessis landed the more damaging blows, and the fact Strickland gave up six takedowns didn't help his cause either. Since then, Strickland picked up a split-decision victory over Paulo Costa in June, but has been sidelined since due to a possible leg injury. Du Plessis also picked up a victory of his own, submitting former champion Israel Adesanya last August. Look for the odds to be relatively even here, as Strickland could find success employing a similar game plan and fighting behind his jab.