Strickland tops Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328

Sean Strickland reclaimed the UFC 185-pound (84 kg) title for a second time in his career, defeating Khamzat Chimaev by split decision in the UFC 328 main event. Two judges scored it 48-47 for Strickland, while the third had it 48-47 for Chimaev.

The fight, held before a crowd of 17,783 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, lacked any real danger. Strickland, a former champion who lost the belt in his first defense, mimed putting a championship belt around his waist after the fifth round ended. Chimaev even helped Strickland put on the belt inside the octagon.

Ahead of the bout, UFC security was ramped up at hotels, public events and around the cage after heavy pre-fight rhetoric, especially from Strickland. He had threatened to shoot Chimaev and called his opponent a “terrorist” due to ties to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Chimaev, a Chechen-born fighter competing under the UAE flag, responded by saying he would “cut off” Strickland's head. Once inside the cage, however, both touched gloves in a show of professionalism and the pre-fight tensions did not escalate.

Strickland, 35, apologized to fans after the fight and admitted he had “gone too far” in exploiting prejudice to sell tickets. Chimaev lost for the first time in 16 professional fights.

UFC staged its last major event before a June 14 show at the White House hosted by President Donald Trump. That event, called a “1 of 1” by CEO Dana White, will mark Trump’s 80th birthday and the nation’s 250th anniversary. Trump often attends major UFC events but was not in New Jersey.

Van successfully defends flyweight title

In the co-main event, Joshua Van successfully defended the 125-pound (56.6 kg) title, stopping Tatsuro Taira via technical knockout at 1:32 of the fifth round. It was the first UFC title fight between two Asian fighters. Van (17-2) dominated with superior boxing, dropping Taira (18-2) in the second round with a right hand to the jaw and then repeatedly attacking his face and body. Taira’s face and chest were left covered in blood. Van, 24, a Myanmar fighter, has won seven consecutive fights and 10 of his last 11 since signing with UFC. Taira failed in his bid to become Japan’s first UFC champion.

Miller wins first fight since son beats cancer

On the undercard, Jim Miller, 42, submitted Jared Gordon via rear-naked choke at 3:29 of the first round with his family cheering him on. Miller extended his record with 28 wins in 47 UFC fights. The win was his 20th career stoppage, second-most in UFC history. Miller returned to the cage after a 13-month absence because his son Wyatt Miller, 14, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma – a rare soft tissue cancer in children. Wyatt completed two rounds of chemotherapy and five weeks of proton radiation at Rutgers Cancer Institute and was declared healthy. “My son went through some very tough times the last few months. He’s good today. He fought through it,” Miller said inside the octagon.