Khamzat Chimaev spoke out after suffering the first defeat of his career. Last Saturday (9), in New Jersey (USA), the Russian was defeated by Sean Strickland in a split decision in the main fight of UFC 328 , losing the middleweight belt (up to 83,9 kg) to the American. Shortly after the result, the former champion used social media to express gratitude and also tagged his rival in a post.
Chimaev refused to remain silent after leaving the octagon defeated. In a post on his official Instagram profile, the Russian shared a simple thank you message in Arabic, demonstrating composure even after losing his reign and undefeated record in professional MMA to a rival.
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“Alhamdulilah,” wrote Khamzat Chimaev , an Arabic expression meaning “Praise be to God” or “Thanks be to God.”
View this photo on Instagram
Subsequently, the former champion spoke out again, this time through his X account, formerly Twitter. In an enigmatic tone, Chimaev tagged Sean Strickland and left open the possibility of a new encounter between the two in the future.
"@SStricklandMMA see you again soon," Chimaev wrote shortly after losing the middleweight title to his rival at UFC 328.
@SStricklandMMA see you soon again 🫡
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) May 10, 2026
Current moment of Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland in the UFC
Chimaev and Strickland face off in a tense confrontation at the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC
The defeat marked the first setback of Khamzat Chimaev 's professional MMA career. Before UFC 328 , the Russian had amassed a 15-fight winning streak and was coming off dominant victories to reach the middleweight title.
On the other side, Sean Strickland returned to the top of the division after winning a very close fight. The American prevailed by split decision and now has a record of 31 wins and seven losses in his professional MMA career.
UFC 328 results
MAIN CARD
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) and won the middleweight title.
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Joshua Van defeated Tatsuro Taira by technical knockout (punches) at 1:32 of round 5 and defended his flyweight title.
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Alexander Volkov defeated Waldo Cortes Acosta by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Sean Brady defeated Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-27)
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): King Green defeated Jeremy Stephens by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:20 of round 1.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Ateba Gautier defeated Ozzy Diaz by knockout (punches) at 1:10 of round 2.
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Yaroslav Amosov defeated Joel Alvarez by submission (Katagatame) at 1:13 of round 2.
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Grant Dawson defeated Mateusz Rebecki by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:48 of round 3.
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Jim Miller defeated Jared Gordon by submission (guillotine choke) at 3:29 of round 1.
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Roman Kopylov defeated Marco Tulio Matuto by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Pat Sabatini defeated William Gomis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Baisangur Susurkaev defeated Djorden Santos by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:12 of round 3.
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Jose Ochoa defeated Clayton Carpenter by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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