Strickland regains UFC middleweight championship

Sean Strickland became a two-time UFC middleweight champion after defeating Khamzat Chimaev by split decision in the main event of UFC 328 at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.

The judges scored the bout 48-47, 48-47 in favour of Strickland, while the third scorecard went 48-47 for Chimaev. The victory marked Chimaev’s first defeat in 16 professional fights.

Despite weeks of heated verbal exchanges and threats ahead of the event, both fighters maintained control inside the cage. They touched gloves before the opening round, and the fight remained competitive without either man appearing close to a finish.

After the match, Strickland acknowledged that some of his pre-fight comments had gone too far and apologised to fans for using offensive stereotypes during the promotion of the fight.

Security heightened ahead of UFC 328

UFC reportedly increased security around the event following the intense hostility between the two fighters in the buildup to the bout.

Strickland had previously made controversial comments about Chimaev and his connections to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, while Chimaev responded with threats of his own during media appearances.

The event was UFC’s final major card before its upcoming White House event scheduled for June 14, which UFC President Dana White has described as a unique celebration tied to the United States’ 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s birthday.

Joshua Van dominates in co-main event

In the co-main event, Joshua Van successfully defended his flyweight title with a fifth-round stoppage victory over Tatsuro Taira.

Van controlled the fight with aggressive striking and repeated combinations that left Taira bloodied throughout the contest. The fight was historic as the first UFC title bout contested between two fighters born in the 2000s and the first title fight between two Asian competitors.

The 24-year-old Van extended his winning streak and continued his rise as one of UFC’s emerging champions, while Taira fell short in his attempt to become the first Japanese UFC champion.

Jim Miller returns after son’s cancer battle

Veteran fighter Jim Miller also made an emotional return to the octagon, defeating Jared Gordon with a first-round rear-naked choke submission.

The 42-year-old lightweight dedicated the victory to his teenage son Wyatt, who recently recovered from a rare form of childhood cancer after undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Miller said his son’s strength during the illness inspired him throughout the difficult period, adding that his family’s resilience helped him return to competition after more than a year away from the sport.