Sean Strickland claimed the UFC middleweight title with a cut up choice win over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 on Could 9, 2026, in Newark, New Jersey. The struggle went 5 rounds, with judges scoring it 48-47 twice for Strickland and as soon as for Chimaev. Safety separated the fighters a number of occasions throughout media occasions because of heated exchanges.
Sean Strickland responds to Ariel Helwani after pretend beef feedback about Khamzat Chimaev
Strickland apologized post-fight for his feedback. He stated he went too far and revered Chimaev‘s group from Chechnya. Within the cage, Chimaev wrapped the belt round Strickland’s waist, and the 2 embraced. Strickland later defined the shift got here from shared battle within the struggle, calling it a bond past variations.
Ariel Helwani reacted on his present. He known as Strickland’s walk-back the most important bunch of bullsht he had heard, labeling it fraud and cowardly. Helwani pointed to Strickland calling Chimaev’s mom a wh*re and stated that confirmed Strickland was not who he claimed.
“That’s the largest bunch of bullsh*t I’ve ever heard. That’s fraud. That’s cowardly sh*t. You can not stroll that again. You known as Khamzat’s mom a wh*re! That tells me you’re not who you say you might be. You’re a strolling contradiction.”
Strickland fired again on social media. He wrote that he prevented media with Helwani as a result of Helwani was a leech he by no means revered. Strickland stated the hatred with Chimaev was actual on the time, what every stated was mistaken, however they earned respect by means of blood. He ended by calling Helwani a pathetic MMA leech who criticized higher males.
“That is why I dont do media with him. You’re a leech who I’ve by no means revered. The second I met this man I knew his high quality. Finish of the day the hatred between was actual, what he stated about me was mistaken, what I stated about himwas mistaken. This what hate and anger does to individuals and it nonetheless could be there however we earned one another’s respect by means of blood and I might by no means count on a person of his high quality to know that.. You’re and can at all times be a pathetic MMA leech who has performed nothing moreover criticizing males who’re higher than your self.”
The trade drew fast consideration in MMA circles. Nate Diaz known as the unique Strickland-Chimaev beef pretend. Helwani later clarified he praised Strickland’s win however objected to the trash speak adopted by on the spot apology. Their historical past contains previous clashes, like Strickland questioning Helwani’s MMA ardour years in the past.
He educated with Chimaev earlier than the unhealthy blood grew, partly from Chimaev not getting his humor. UFC 328 marked Chimaev’s first loss in 16 fights; he now plans to maneuver to gentle heavyweight. Strickland, now a two-time champ at 35, improved to 18-7.
Followers cut up on the post-fight tone change. Some noticed it as good promotion; others agreed with Helwani on consistency. Dana White famous the sportsmanship shocked him after the buildup. The meat with Helwani provides to Strickland’s run-ins with media.
