UFC’s Michael Chandler prepares for America 250 fight at White House
UFC fighter Michael Chandler invites PK Press Club meteorologist Adam Klotz to his Nashville, Tennessee, gym for an intense MMA workout. Chandler talks about his historic upcoming fight at the White House for America’s 250th birthday, UFC Freedom 250, and his passion for supporting veterans through Folds of Honor and Phorm Energy drinks. He emphasizes resilience and faith in his journey as a student at the White House.
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Sean Strickland left it all in the octagon at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday night, upsetting Khamzat Chimaev to once again be named the UFC middleweight champion for his career.
Chimaev, who had never lost a UFC fight in his 16-fight career, was a convincing favorite heading into this UFC 328 co-main event, but Strickland was named the winner via split decision after five hard-fought rounds, where he revealed he wasn’t even fully healthy.
After Chimaev put the belt around his waist, Strickland said he injured his shoulder in a fight earlier in the week.
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Sean Strickland reacts after a split decision victory over Russia’s Khamzat Chimaev in the UFC middleweight championship fight at UFC 328 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on May 9, 2026. (Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)
“Funny story – Tuesday I train with Johnny [Eblen]this mother —–, champion of the PFL. I’m at the Plinio Cruz gymnasium. He’s shooting at me, and I hit his brick wall and separated my shoulder,” Strickland told reporters at his post-fight press conference. “So I had a freshman AC to join the separation on Tuesday. I remember lying in bed Tuesday night and I can’t lie on my right side. I’m like, ‘You’re such a fucking idiot.’ You’re such a fucking idiot.”
Strickland added that he liked to have better pre-fight warm-ups in the back locker room, but was unable to do so for fear of re-injuring his shoulder. And a shoulder injury is never good against a wrestler, in which Chimaev has demonstrated his dominance throughout his UFC career.
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Chimaev proved it in the first round, knocking Strickland out to the canvas in just 15 seconds. It was the dominant performance that many thought would ensue at the Prudential Center between these two fighters.
Until Strickland found some momentum in the second round, staying on his feet and landing strikes. From there, both fighters were trading blows, but in the fifth round, Strickland had an interesting moment with Chimaev.
Sean Strickland reacts after a split decision victory over Russia’s Khamzat Chimaev in the UFC middleweight championship fight at UFC 328 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on May 9, 2026. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
As both fighters were bloodied, Strickland said Chimaev pointed to the mat near the end of the fifth round, which is a sign for fighters to start throwing haymakers. However, there is usually a code of honor with it – nothing other than punching and putting on a show for the fight crowd.
“He pointed to the mat and said, ‘Let’s give the people what they want, let’s make the man dance,’ or some shit. And I told him, ‘OK. I trust you, the guy who just kicked me in the balls yesterday. I trust you, Chimaev. You seem like a really trustworthy guy. I like your smile. We shook hands, I believe you.”
“So I put my hands up and he shot me.”
Sean Strickland punches Russian Khamzat Chimaev during the UFC middleweight championship fight at UFC 328 in Newark, NJ on May 9, 2026. (Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)
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Although Strickland didn’t like the decision, he and Chimaev showed respect for each other during the match, and obviously the latter’s decision after the match to pass the belt to his opponent.
Strickland, 35, is a polarizing figure in the UFC, but he had the crowd raucously chanting “USA!” over and over again, especially after being named champion.
