In the headliner of UFC 328, Sean Strickland entered as the underdog against UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev last Saturday. However, the prospects of conflict were nothing new for the Anaheim, California native. After a dominant performance in the first round where Chimaev controlled Strickland on the ground, it looked like the challenger was in for a long night.
Then Strickland (31-7) turned the tide in round two, as he scored several takedowns from the defending champion. Chimaev (15-1) suddenly looked vulnerable inside the octagon, with Strickland jabbing and landing a straight right hand. After five tough rounds, "Tarzan" won by split decision to become a two-time champion at 185 pounds and hand the Russian native his first defeat.
As Strickland enters his second reign as the Middleweight Kingpin, we look at who he might face in his first title defense.
joe pifer
“Bodybagz” has compiled an impressive 7-1 record since his UFC debut in 2022. Only one of those wins has come via decision. Joe Pfeiffer suffered a setback in February 2024 after losing a unanimous decision against Jack Hermansson. Since then, he has been on a four-fight winning streak, with three Performance of the Night bonuses. The Vineland, New Jersey native is coming off the biggest win of his career.
In March, he defeated former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya by second-round TKO. As one of the top rising contenders at 185 pounds, Pifer is closing in on a title shot.
dricus du plessis
The native of Welcome, South Africa previously reigned as the 185-pound kingpin from 2024 to 2025. In two defenses of the UFC middleweight title, Darius du Plessis achieved victories over Adesanya and Strickland (in a rematch for the title). However, last August, "Stillknox" suffered a lopsided unanimous decision loss against Chimaev and was deprived of the championship title.
Although Du Plessis may need a bounce-back win to get back into title contention, he remains one of the biggest names in the division.
Khamzat Chimaev
Although a rematch between Strickland and Chimaev is unlikely, they fought a very close and competitive match. Given his competitive nature, it is surprising that Chimaev might not choose to avenge his first professional defeat. The former UFC middleweight champion has been vocal about the difficulties he faced in losing weight at 185 pounds.
The native of the Chechen Republic, Russia will likely look to move up to light heavyweight. UFC boss Dana White also revealed that after the fight Chimaev told him he no longer wanted to compete at middleweight. But money talks, and he can always be persuaded to participate in a rematch.
Nasourdin Imavov
"The Sniper" is currently on a five-fight winning streak and is possibly the frontrunner for the title. Nasourdin Imamov scored a major upset TKO victory over Adesanya in February 2025. He followed that up with a wide unanimous decision win against fellow top-contender Caio Borralho last September. It was the only defeat of the Brazilian native's UFC career since his debut in 2022.
Imavov previously met Strickland in January 2023, where he lost via unanimous decision. If they meet a second time, can Imavov change the narrative with the championship title at stake?
