What's next: Will Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chim...
Key takeaways
- Knowing all of that, you might be tempted into thinking that an immediate rematch will be next, but like that third judge, you're in the minority.
- Those and other visions for the winners and losers on the main card are below.
- With Chimaev possibly leaving the division, Imavov is the no-brainer No. 1 contender.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Five back-and-forth rounds were needed to determine the winner of Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland's middleweight championship fight on Saturday at UFC 328 -- and even then, only two of the three judges agreed on Strickland's win.
Knowing all of that, you might be tempted into thinking that an immediate rematch will be next, but like that third judge, you're in the minority. Instead, Chimaev left the Octagon and immediately told UFC CEO Dana White he was ready to move up a division to light heavyweight. If that happens, Strickland's opponent for the first title defense becomes clear fairly quickly. In fact, Strickland, Chimaev and the other champion on the card, Joshua Van, have their paths clearly marked for the near future.
Those and other visions for the winners and losers on the main card are below.