Khamzat Chimaev says the fight with Sean Strickland ended where it was supposed to end, inside the cage.
Chimaev lost the UFC middleweight title to Strickland by split decision at UFC 328 on May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The result made Strickland a two-time UFC middleweight champion, while Chimaev took the first loss of his MMA career after a run built on pressure, takedowns, and control. Strickland has already moved into the next champion problem after bringing the UFC belt back to Xtreme Couture.
Happy Punch shared Chimaev’s explanation for shaking Strickland’s hand and putting the belt on him after the fight:
https://x.com/HappyPunch/status/2054352707440304477
“That guy said a lot of stuff, people are asking why I shook his hand and why I put the belt on him. There’s no point in fighting after. If we fight, we fight inside the cage. We did everything we could, there is nothing else we can do. What God has decided is no longer in our control. After the fight, he bowed his head and apologized, if a man asks for forgiveness I can forgive him.”
Chimaev Says The Strickland Issue Ended After UFC 328
The handshake stood out because the build to Strickland vs. Chimaev had real heat. Strickland talked, Chimaev pushed back, and the title fight carried the kind of tension that usually does not vanish the second Bruce Buffer leaves the cage.
Chimaev’s answer was simple. Once Strickland apologized, he accepted it. No fake buddy act, no drawn-out drama, just the line between fight business and personal beef getting cut clean.
The middleweight title picture is still crowded. Chimaev’s side has already pushed for a rematch after his brother Artur said his body “shut down” during the UFC 328 weight cut. Strickland, meanwhile, has mentioned Nassourdine Imavov as a possible next challenger and has also said the Chimaev beef was business.
Chimaev’s answer does not change the title picture, but it does explain the handshake. He still wants the belt back, Strickland has the win, and the next middleweight move comes down to whether the UFC chooses Imavov or runs the UFC 328 matchup back.
