New UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland provided a health update following his win over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328.
Strickland won the belt with a split decision nod over Chimaev at last Saturday’s UFC 328 card. It was a brutal fight between the two rivals, as they went 25 hard minutes, with Strickland ultimately outlasting Chimaev and winning a tight decision on the judges’ scorecards.
We know that Chimaev suffered through a horrible weight cut in the lead-up to UFC 328, which sapped his cardio and energy during the bout. But now we are finding out that Strickland, too, was dealing with his own health issues.
Sean Strickland Provides Health Update
Taking to social media on Wednesday, Strickland provided an update on his health following his fight with Chimaev at UFC 328.
“Type 2 AC separation Extended Type V SLAP tear Partial rotator cuff tearing/tendinosis Gonna have to walk this one off…” Strickland wrote on X.
Gonna have to walk this one off…
It is unknown if these injuries were suffered in the fight against Chimaev or if these were pre-existing injuries that he brought into the contest, as Strickland did say he had hurt his shoulder in sparring before the fight when he was doing some hard training with PFL star Johnny Eblen. Either way, it appears that Strickland is going to be on the shelf for a bit of time with the injuries that he has right now, which could delay his next title defense inside the Octagon.
What’s Next for Sean Strickland?
As for what’s next for Strickland, there are two clear options.
The first option is a rematch with Chimaev, who has formally requested one. The fight was very close, with some even feeling like Chimaev won the bout, but the UFC typically doesn’t grant rematches to champions who lost their belt on their first title defense, which is the situation Chimaev is in. That being said, the fight between Strickland and Chimaev at UFC 328 was one of the biggest fights in recent memory for the UFC, so the promotion may try to capitalize on a rematch if they feel like it will be just as big as the first one.
The next option is for Strickland to fight Nassourdine Imavov, in what would also be a rematch, as they first fought in January 2023, with Strickland winning a decision in a light heavyweight bout. Imavov has won five straight fights, and he deserves the chance to fight Strickland for the belt. But if the UFC doesn’t think it’s as big a fight as a Chimaev rematch would be, then Imavov may be skipped over as Strickland’s next opponent.
In the event Strickland is out on the sidelines for a considerable period of time, the UFC could book Chimaev against Imavov in a No. 1 contender bout. That would be a good fight to have in the interim while Strickland recovers from his injuries. But the UFC’s main hope is that Strickland can get back to full health relatively soon, so he can get back into the Octagon by the end of the year and fight either Imavov or Chimaev in his first title defense.
Sean Strickland Provides Health Update Following UFC 328