Shawn Strickland has reclaimed the UFC middleweight title, defeating Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 328 at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. The American claimed the title for the second time via a unanimous decision, handing Chimaev his first defeat in 16 professional MMA bouts.

Chimaev chose to exchange blows in an upright stance with Strickland for much of the fight, which allowed Strickland to impose his style. The Chechen fighter, competing under the UAE flag, opened the fight with a right leg kick to Strickland's left thigh and then quickly took the fight to the ground. Strickland found himself against the cage and used the octagon to get back to his feet, but Chimaev, an experienced fighter, utilized the opportunity to latch onto Strickland's back.

Midway through the round, Strickland escaped from one of the octagon corners and returned to his knees but couldn't gain enough height to stand as Chimaev controlled him from the back. Despite briefly standing up, Strickland was brought back down by Chimaev's control and back hold. The Chechen fighter tried to finish the fight but couldn't close the deal, leaving the first round with nearly four and a half minutes of control.

Chimaev started the second round with body strikes, dominating the center of the octagon and exchanging blows with confidence. However, after a minute and a half, he attempted to take the fight to the ground. Strickland countered, gaining a dominant position. Chimaev eventually pushed Strickland off and successfully defended another attempt to take him to the back, returning to a control position on the ground. Strickland finished the round with full control, leaving Chimaev with a bloody face.

The third round continued with the exchange of blows. Both fighters chose to exchange straight punches and kicks from a medium distance. The pace and rhythm of the fight slowed down. Chimaev looked to place a powerful right cross after two consecutive left straight punches, but Strickland defended each time with a spin and raising his left arm. However, a strong left straight punch by Chimaev bloodied Strickland's nose.

Chimaev began the fourth round with the words "I love you, buddy!" before launching into an attack. The boxing duel continued in this round, with Chimaev firmly holding the center. The 31-year-old former wrestler also landed leg kicks to Strickland's left thigh and, in the last minute, decided to take the fight to the ground, scoring a takedown that allowed him to control the action in the cage until the end of the round.

In the final five minutes, Chimaev scored an immediate takedown, but Strickland used the cage to get back to his feet. The American attempted to counter with a takedown but was unsuccessful. Strickland landed left straight punch after left straight punch, but Chimaev was the one landing the more powerful blows. In the final minute of the fight, Chimaev attempted another takedown but failed to take Strickland down and hold him.