UFC 328: How Dana White Scored Sean Strickland’s Shocking Upset of Khamzat Chimaev

NEWARK, N.J. – The Prudential Center was a cauldron of chaos on Saturday night. The main event of UFC 328 was supposed to be the coronation of a new, unstoppable force. Instead, it became the stage for one of the most divisive and stunning upsets in recent middleweight history. Sean Strickland, a 5-1 underdog, walked away with the middleweight title, defeating the previously undefeated Khamzat Chimaev via split decision.

The scorecards read 48-47, 47-48, and 48-47, leaving the judges split. But more than that, the internet was split. Fans, analysts, and fighters alike debated whether Chimaev’s early dominance was enough to steal rounds, or if Strickland’s relentless pressure in the later frames deserved the nod. In the eye of the storm stood UFC CEO Dana White, who had a clear, decisive take on the outcome.

The “Borz” That Never Came: Chimaev’s Puzzling Game Plan

The narrative heading into UFC 328 was simple: Khamzat Chimaev would wrestle. The Chechen-born fighter has built his reputation on suffocating takedowns, brutal ground-and-pound, and an aura of invincibility. For the first round, that script held true. Chimaev shot in, secured a takedown, and controlled Strickland against the cage, landing heavy shots from the top. It looked like a matter of time.

Then, the fight changed. Inexplicably, Chimaev abandoned his wrestling. For the next four rounds, he chose to stand and trade with Strickland—a man widely considered the superior pure boxer in the division. It was a tactical decision that baffled many, including the boss.

“I don’t know what happened,” White admitted during the post-fight press conference. “I think everyone in the building expected him to wrestle. He’s the best wrestler in the division. But he stood in front of Sean and threw hands. And that’s a dangerous game to play with Strickland.”

Chimaev’s striking looked sharp in flashes, landing a few heavy overhands and cracking Strickland’s jaw in the third round. But he was unable to sustain the output. Strickland’s high-volume jab and infighting pressure began to take a toll. By the championship rounds, Chimaev was visibly slowing, his mouth open, his takedown attempts nonexistent.

Dana White’s Scorecard: “I Had It 2-2 Going Into the Last Round”

When the final bell rang, the crowd was unsure who had won. The fight was razor-thin. Chimaev likely secured the first round decisively. Strickland clearly won the second and fourth rounds with superior volume and cage pressure. The third round was a coin flip, with Chimaev landing the harder single shots but Strickland out-landing him in volume.

That left the fifth round as the decider. And for Dana White, it wasn’t close.

“I had it 2-2 going into the last round,” White told reporters. “I thought Strickland won the last round. He was the fresher man. He was pushing forward, landing the jab, and making Chimaev miss. Chimaev looked tired. Strickland looked like he wanted it more.”

White’s analysis aligns with the official scorecards. Judges Sal D’Amato and Dave Tirelli scored the final round for Strickland, giving him the split decision victory. Judge Chris Lee saw it for Chimaev, awarding him the fifth round and the fight. The split verdict underscores just how tight the contest was, but White was emphatic that the right man got his hand raised.

“I thought it was a clear 3-2 for Strickland,” White added. “The guy fought the perfect fight. He took Chimaev’s best shots and kept coming. That’s a champion’s heart.”

Why Strickland’s Upset Is Bigger Than the Odds

Betting lines can be deceiving, but Strickland closing as a +500 underdog tells a story. This wasn’t just a win; it was a tactical masterpiece against a fighter who had never faced adversity. Chimaev entered the cage with a 14-0 record, having mauled everyone from Gilbert Burns to Kevin Holland. He was supposed to be the future of the division.

What Strickland did was expose a potential flaw in Chimaev’s approach: his reliance on physicality over cardio. By surviving the first-round wrestling storm, Strickland forced Chimaev into a fight he didn’t prepare for. The result was a two-time middleweight champion who proved that pressure and a granite chin can neutralize even the most hyped prospects.

Key factors in the upset included:

• Volume over power: Strickland landed 132 significant strikes to Chimaev’s 98, according to official stats.
• Cage control: Strickland consistently backed Chimaev up, cutting off the octagon and preventing him from resetting.
• Defensive wrestling: Strickland stuffed 3 of 4 takedown attempts after the first round, refusing to let Chimaev dictate the location.
• Chin durability: Chimaev landed his best shots—including a brutal left hook in round three—but Strickland never wobbled.

Expert Analysis: What This Means for the Middleweight Division

With Strickland now holding the belt for a second time, the middleweight landscape has been shaken. The immediate question is: Did Chimaev simply have an off night, or did Strickland solve the riddle of “Borz”?

From a technical standpoint, Strickland’s game plan was a clinic in anti-wrestling striking. He kept his lead hand low, parried Chimaev’s entries, and used a constant, punishing jab to the body and head. When Chimaev tried to close the distance, Strickland smothered him with a tight clinch, preventing the explosive double-legs that have defined Chimaev’s career.

Looking ahead, a rematch seems inevitable. Chimaev will likely demand it, citing the close nature of the decision. But Strickland has earned the right to call the shots. He has also set up potential fights with other contenders like Dricus du Plessis or Robert Whittaker, both of whom are waiting in the wings.

As for Chimaev, this loss may be a blessing in disguise. It forces him to evolve. He can no longer rely on overwhelming opponents in the first round. He must develop a five-round gas tank and a more diverse striking game. If he does, this loss could be the making of an even greater fighter.

Conclusion: The Upset That Rewrote the Script

In a sport where one punch can change everything, Sean Strickland proved that consistency and grit can topple the most fearsome of opponents. UFC 328 will be remembered as the night the unbreakable aura of Khamzat Chimaev was finally cracked—not by a knockout artist, but by a man with a relentless jab and an unyielding will.

Dana White summed it up best: “Nobody gave Sean a chance. And he went out and did it anyway. That’s what this sport is all about.”

For Strickland, the journey from underdog to two-time champion is complete. For Chimaev, the road back begins now. And for the fans, the debate over who truly won that night in Newark will rage on for years to come.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.