Sean Strickland has won the UFC's 185-pound championship for the second time in his career, defeating Khamzat Chimaev via split decision in a bout that never rose to the level of vitriol and threats of violence outside the cage that both fighters engaged in in advance of the main event of UFC 328.

Strickland won two scorecards 48-47, while Chimaev took the third scorecard at 48-47 in front of a crowd of 17,783 fans at the Prudential Center on Saturday.

Strickland Survives Early Scare

After surviving the first round on the ground, the American fought back to claim a gritty victory. Chimaev secured a signature early takedown, just as he did in defeating Dricus du Plessis for the title in August, controlling the action on the ground. But Strickland found success in defending takedowns in the second round.

Fighters have struggled to keep fights with Chimaev on the feet, but Strickland's takedown defense forced him to strike, which is where the American excels. As Chimaev pushed forward, Strickland edged the contest by using his jab consistently from the back foot to keep his nose in front on the scorecards.

Strickland, the second former middleweight to regain the title, mimed putting the belt around his waist after the fifth round ended to wrap up a fight where neither fighter ever seemed in serious danger. Chimaev then did the honors for him inside the cage, wrapping the belt around the American's waist in a show of respect.

Security Measures and Hostilities

UFC beefed up security at hotels, public events, and around the cage for the fight following one of the more loathsome displays of trash talk in recent fight history. Strickland threatened to shoot Chimaev and labeled him a "terrorist" because of his ties to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

Chimaev, who lost for the first time in 16 professional fights, is of Chechen ethnicity and fights under the United Arab Emirates banner. He had countered by saying he would "take off" Strickland's head.

Despite the animosity, both fighters tapped gloves to start the fight to prove they were professionals, and the prefight hostilities never spilled over into the cage. The UFC hired extra security to protect each fighter during fight week, and this was on display as rows of officers separated the pair as they waited for the opening bell.

Strickland Apologizes After the Fight

The 35-year-old Strickland, who won the 185-pound belt in September 2023 and lost it in his first title defense, apologized after the fight to fans of all ethnicities and acknowledged he "went too hard" in weaponizing stereotypes to sell the fight.

"I want to apologize to my American fans, Christian fans and Muslim fans. I went too hard, I admit it," said Strickland. "I respect all you guys. I should be a better example but I try and sell these fights."