Sean Strickland Crowned Champion Again

Sean Strickland has reclaimed the middleweight title for the U.S., edging out Khamzat Chimaev with a split decision of 48-47, 47-48, 48-47 at UFC 328 held on Saturday night at Prudential Center.

The fight took place amid heightened security, featuring numerous uniformed officers just before the bouts commenced, perhaps as a precaution. It was hard to say if it was truly necessary, but it certainly seemed to add a layer of seriousness to the event.

Chimaev, who entered the match undefeated, made an immediate impact, taking Strickland down within the first 20 seconds. He quickly advanced to secure Strickland’s back within just a couple of minutes.

The initial round saw Strickland fend off a rear-naked choke, but interestingly, Chimaev waited until nearly two minutes into the second round before attempting another takedown. Surprisingly, it was Strickland who finished the round on top, giving fans a rare glimpse of the champion fighting from a defensive position.

As the action resumed on their feet, a poorly executed takedown attempt from Chimaev allowed Strickland to gain the upper hand, leading to the crowd enthusiastically chanting “USA” in support.

Chimaev tried to regain control as they moved around the Octagon, but Strickland’s performance picked up, enabling him to take the lead in the third round.

Strickland’s jab was a key weapon in the fight, managing to open a cut on Chimaev’s nose amidst a flurry of both fighters’ offense. But in the fourth round, Chimaev’s precise punches gave him an edge, resulting in some damage to Strickland as well.

In a notable moment, Chimaev secured a takedown with just a minute left in the round, marking his first takedown attempt in quite a while. The ending of the match was tense, but Strickland quickly shifted to offense, keeping the bout out of his opponent’s striking range for the initial minute of the last round.

Both fighters traded blows evenly as the fight progressed, but Strickland’s more aggressive jabs disrupted Chimaev’s rhythm often. It was interesting to see how the energy shifted by the end of the fight, with Chimaev offering to put the belt around Strickland’s waist, showcasing a newfound mutual respect between the two.

Earlier in the night, Joshua Bunn outlasted Tatsuro Taira in a semi-main event, earning his first flyweight title via TKO in the fifth round. Bunn, who now resides in Texas, displayed quick hands early on, but he faced challenges with Taira’s takedowns, even getting knocked down at one point.

As the fight progressed, though, Bunn found a way to gain control, finally overwhelming Taira with a decisive shot towards the center, leading to a stoppage.

In a noteworthy moment, Bunn and Taira, both in their early twenties, made this the youngest UFC title match, with a combined age of just 25.

Before the championship bouts, Alexander Volkov faced off against Waldo Cortez Acosta, winning by decision to the discontent of some in the crowd.

In the welterweight division, Sean Brady returned to form, overpowering Joaquin Buckley with a barrage of punches in a dominant performance.

The main card kicked off with King Green achieving a first-round submission victory. Additionally, local favorite Jim Miller connected well with Newark fans as he scored a quick guillotine choke in his lightweight contest.

Other notable victories included Ateba Gauthier, Yaroslav Amosov, Grant Dawson, Roman Kopylov, Pat Sabatini, Baisangur Susarkaev, and Jose Ochoa, each showcasing impressive skills in their respective matches.