Sean Strickland did the impossible. Twice.

For the second time in three years, Strickland waltzed into a UFC title fight as a massive underdog and waltzed out of the cage with the middleweight title wrapped around his waist. In 2023, Israel Adesanya was the dominant champion whom Strickland toppled in a result few saw coming, and on Saturday night at UFC 328, it was Khamzat Chimaev's turn to suffer the wrath of the division's ultimate spoiler.

Using a mix of his relentless striking and a masterful command of defensive wrestling, Strickland eked out a split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) to hand Chimaev the first defeat of the Chechen's otherwise flawless MMA career.

Fighters Split on the Result

Not surprisingly, given how competitive the back-and-forth affair was, Strickland's fellow fighters were split on UFC 328's result, with some singing Strickland's praises and others casting doubt on the judges' decision.

Two of middleweight's top contenders, Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho, wasted little time calling for their first shots at the belt.

Tsarukyan Stands by Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev had Arman Tsarukyan in his corner at UFC 328, and Tsarukyan is standing by him after the disappointing loss. Afterwards, Strickland and Chimaev appeared to squash their beef following a volatile pre-fight build, but Tsarukyan sounds like he is not satisfied with how the scorecards played out.

"We fought our hearts out tonight and everyone watching knows what really happened," Tsarukyan wrote on Instagram. "Head up Champ. You will get your belt back soon."

How the Judges Scored It

Though he did not state it specifically, Tsarukyan appears to be criticizing the judging, which saw Eric Colon and Sal D'Amato score the fight 48-47 in Strickland's favor, giving him Rounds 2, 3, and 5. Judge Sue Sanidad had it 48-47 for Chimaev, giving him Rounds 1, 4, and 5.

Tsarukyan worked closely with Chimaev in the lead-up to his first title defense, so it is not surprising he is siding with the now-former champion, who now looks to rebound following the first loss of his career.

What is Next for Both Men

Chimaev won the belt with a lopsided decision win over Dricus du Plessis, who has beaten Strickland in a pair of title fights, at UFC 319 this past August, but struggled to maintain any consistent offense against the resilient Strickland.

Now, it appears Chimaev is set to move up to light heavyweight, though he also teased the possibility of a rematch with Strickland following Saturday's defeat. Meanwhile, Strickland has a healthy line of potential challengers for his second reign, including Imavov, Borralho, and others.

Final Thoughts

Strickland did it again. The ultimate spoiler. The man no one believes in until the final bell rings. He handed Chimaev his first loss, became a two-time champion, and left Newark with his hand raised. Whether the judges got it right or wrong, the history books will show Strickland's name next to the middleweight title.