Sean Strickland Wins Decision Over Khamzat Chimaev
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- Sean Strickland defeated unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev by split decision (48‑47, 48‑47, 48‑47) at UFC 238 in Newark, reclaiming the 185‑pound title he first won in September 2023.
- Khamzat Chimaev missed weight at the official weigh‑in, struggled to make 185 lb, and told UFC CEO Dana White he wants to move up to the 205‑lb division for his next fight.
- UFC increased security for the bout, deploying police and housing the fighters in separate hotels after a promotional stare‑down in which Chimaev kicked Strickland.
- Dana White announced that he scored the five‑round fight for Strickland and noted Chimaev’s frustration after the bout, including him throwing his gloves into the crowd.
Why it matters: Strickland’s 48‑47 split‑decision victory hands him the 185‑lb title and its lucrative purse, while Chimaev’s missed weight and loss end his unbeaten streak, forcing a move to 205 lb that could reshape his earning potential.
