Sean Strickland

Strickland reclaimed the middleweight title by surviving Chimaev's early pressure and dragging the fight into the kind of close, jab-heavy, attritional main event he handles well. Over five rounds he defended enough of the wrestling to edge a split decision and hand Chimaev his first professional loss.

Key moments

• Won the UFC Middleweight Championship.
• Handed Khamzat Chimaev the first loss of his career.
• Went the full five rounds in a title fight built around takedown defense and pace.
• The split decision capped Strickland's rebound after the du Plessis losses.

Strickland answered questions about his ceiling by breaking Hernandez with sustained pressure and cleaner boxing over three rounds. The third-round stoppage was one of his more emphatic recent wins and kept him in immediate title range before UFC 328.

Key moments

• Headlined and finished a dangerous middleweight contender.
• Volume boxing piled up until the round-three stoppage at 2:23.
• A statement win after back-to-back title-fight losses.
• Set up the championship opportunity against Chimaev.

The rematch with du Plessis again demanded all five rounds, but this time the champion left less room for debate. Strickland stayed competitive in boxing range, yet du Plessis was busier and more varied often enough to win a unanimous decision.

Key moments

• Second title-fight loss to Dricus du Plessis.
• Another five-round middleweight championship bout.
• Strickland's jab kept the fight competitive, but not enough to swing the cards.
• Forced him back into contender mode.

Strickland took a close five-round split over Costa in a fight built around pace, jab volume and defensive discipline. It was not a runaway performance, but it kept him near the top of the division and bought him another shot at the title picture.

Key moments

• Five-round split decision over a high-profile middleweight.
• The jab and output were again the core of the win.
• A gritty rebound after dropping the title.
• Kept Strickland in the championship mix.

Strickland's first defense turned into a tight, awkward title fight with du Plessis in Toronto. The jab and pressure had moments, but the scorecards leaned narrowly to du Plessis in a split decision that ended Strickland's reign after a single title win.

Key moments

• Lost the UFC Middleweight Championship.
• A split decision over five rounds in Toronto.
• The fight stayed competitive throughout with no clear runaway stretch.
• Ended his reign one fight after the Adesanya upset.

Strickland delivered the defining performance of his career against Israel Adesanya, out-jabbing the champion over five rounds and leaving Sydney with a unanimous decision and the middleweight title. The upset mattered because it turned years of high-volume pressure fighting into a championship result against one of the division's most established names.

Key moments

• Won the UFC Middleweight Championship by unanimous decision.
• Handled all five rounds against one of the era's dominant middleweight champions.
• The result capped a three-fight rebound after losses to Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier.
• It pushed Strickland from perennial contender into undisputed titleholder.

Strickland wore down Abusupiyan Magomedov in his July 2023 headliner, surviving the early surge and taking over with pace until the second-round stoppage. The fight fit the pattern that defines his best work: steady jab pressure, defensive discipline, and a willingness to drown opponents once their first burst fades.

Key moments

• Headlined and finished Magomedov by TKO at 4:20 of round two.
• Strickland absorbed the early danger, then took over once the pace turned in his favor.
• The win steadied him after back-to-back losses to Pereira and Cannonier.
• It set up the title-shot opportunity he cashed in against Adesanya two months later.

Against Nassourdine Imavov, Strickland got back to his long-fight strengths and banked a five-round unanimous decision in another headlining spot. The win was important because it restarted his momentum immediately after a rough 2022 and put him back in the center of the middleweight picture.

Key moments

• Won a five-round unanimous decision in a main event.
• The fight snapped his two-bout skid from the Cannonier and Pereira losses.
• It showed he could still carry pace and output over championship-length distance.
• The victory was followed by the Magomedov stoppage and then the Adesanya title upset.

Cannonier edged Strickland by split decision in a close five-round fight that cost him a direct move into the title picture. The loss was narrow, but it still forced Strickland to rebuild instead of cashing the momentum from his earlier 2022 run.

Key moments

• Dropped a split decision after all five rounds.
• The fight ended his six-fight winning streak.
• It served as a clear title-eliminator setback at the end of 2022.
• Strickland answered the defeat with consecutive wins over Imavov, Magomedov, and Adesanya.

Alex Pereira stopped Strickland with punches in the opening round and handed him the cleanest kind of setback possible in a title-eliminator spot. The knockout interrupted the strong middleweight run he had built since returning from his long layoff.

Key moments

• Lost by first-round knockout at 2:36.
• The defeat ended a six-fight unbeaten run and his immediate push toward a title shot.
• It was one of the rare stoppage losses on Strickland's record.
• He still fought his way back with three straight wins, including the Adesanya upset.

Strickland outlasted Jack Hermansson over five rounds to take a split decision in another hard-paced headliner. The result pushed his middleweight surge to six straight wins and strengthened the case that his style could consistently hold up over main-event distance.

Key moments

• Won a five-round split decision in the UFC Fight Night main event.
• The victory extended Strickland's winning streak to six.
• It was his second straight five-round win after beating Uriah Hall.
• The run carried him directly into higher-stakes fights with Pereira and Cannonier.

The Hall fight was another example of Strickland making his pace the story, as he controlled five rounds and won a unanimous decision in a main-event slot. It was a significant checkpoint because it confirmed that his comeback stretch was not a one-off but a sustainable climb.

Key moments

• Won all five rounds on the way to a unanimous decision.
• The result moved his winning streak to five straight.
• It followed earlier 2021 wins over Krzysztof Jotko and Brendan Allen.
• The Hall win set up the Hermansson main event the following February.

Strickland beat Krzysztof Jotko by Decision (Unanimous) after all three rounds, another result built on the pace and jab volume that have carried so much of his career. The victory moved him to a 4-fight winning streak and kept his momentum building.

Key moments

• Krzysztof Jotko was beaten by Decision (Unanimous) after all three rounds.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 4-fight winning streak.
• It showed the early version of the long-fight patience that later drove his middleweight title run.
• Strickland followed this performance with 2 consecutive wins.

Strickland stopped Brendan Allen by TKO (Punches) at 1:32 of round 2, another sharp result from the long winning stretches that built his UFC profile. It helped launch another positive stretch, and he followed it with 3 more consecutive wins.

Key moments

• Brendan Allen was finished by TKO (Punches) at 1:32 of round 2.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 3-fight winning streak.
• The stoppage reinforced that earlier phases of his career produced more finishes than his later championship run.
• Strickland followed this performance with 3 consecutive wins.

Strickland beat Jack Marshman by Decision (Unanimous) after all three rounds, another result built on the pace and jab volume that have carried so much of his career. It helped launch another positive stretch, and he followed it with 4 more consecutive wins.

Key moments

• Jack Marshman was beaten by Decision (Unanimous) after all three rounds.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 2-fight winning streak.
• It showed the early version of the long-fight patience that later drove his middleweight title run.
• Strickland followed this performance with 4 consecutive wins.

Strickland stopped Nordine Taleb by TKO (Punches) at 3:10 of round 2, another sharp result from the long winning stretches that built his UFC profile. It helped launch another positive stretch, and he followed it with 5 more consecutive wins.

Key moments

• Nordine Taleb was finished by TKO (Punches) at 3:10 of round 2.
• The fight added another win to Strickland's steady rise through the division.
• The stoppage reinforced that earlier phases of his career produced more finishes than his later championship run.
• Strickland followed this performance with 5 consecutive wins.

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos caught Strickland with a spinning wheel kick and follow-up punches, producing one of the flashiest knockout losses on Strickland's record. The setback halted his welterweight progress and forced a much longer reset than the earlier decision defeats had.

Key moments

• Lost by spinning wheel kick and punches at 3:40 of round one.
• It was the second knockout loss of his career to that point.
• The defeat followed a decision win over Court McGee.
• Strickland did not fight again for nearly two years before returning in late 2018.

Strickland beat Court McGee by Decision (Unanimous) after all three rounds, another result built on the pace and jab volume that have carried so much of his career. The win kept him moving forward in the division without breaking from the durable style that would later define his title run.

Key moments

• Court McGee was beaten by Decision (Unanimous) after all three rounds.
• The fight added another win to Strickland's steady rise through the division.
• It showed the early version of the long-fight patience that later drove his middleweight title run.
• The bout stands as another clean win in one of the better sustained stretches of his record.

Kamaru Usman outworked Strickland over three rounds and handed him a unanimous decision loss in April 2017. The defeat stopped a modest welterweight run and, with hindsight, stands as a loss to a fighter who would soon become champion himself.

Key moments

• Dropped a unanimous decision after three rounds.
• The result ended Strickland's three-fight winning streak.
• It came during his welterweight phase before the later middleweight rebuild.
• He rebounded with a win over Court McGee before the Zaleski knockout loss.

Strickland beat Tom Breese by Decision (Split) after all three rounds, another result built on the pace and jab volume that have carried so much of his career. The win kept him moving forward in the division without breaking from the durable style that would later define his title run.

Key moments

• Tom Breese was beaten by Decision (Split) after all three rounds.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 3-fight winning streak.
• It showed the early version of the long-fight patience that later drove his middleweight title run.
• The bout stands as another clean win in one of the better sustained stretches of his record.

Strickland stopped Alex Garcia by KO (Punches) at 4:25 of round 3, another sharp result from the long winning stretches that built his UFC profile. It helped launch another positive stretch, and he followed it with one more consecutive win.

Key moments

• Alex Garcia was finished by KO (Punches) at 4:25 of round 3.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 2-fight winning streak.
• The stoppage reinforced that earlier phases of his career produced more finishes than his later championship run.
• Strickland followed this performance with one consecutive win.

Strickland beat Igor Araujo by Decision (Unanimous) after all three rounds, another result built on the pace and jab volume that have carried so much of his career. It helped launch another positive stretch, and he followed it with 2 more consecutive wins.

Key moments

• Igor Araujo was beaten by Decision (Unanimous) after all three rounds.
• The fight added another win to Strickland's steady rise through the division.
• It showed the early version of the long-fight patience that later drove his middleweight title run.
• Strickland followed this performance with 2 consecutive wins.

Santiago Ponzinibbio beat Strickland by Decision (Unanimous) after all three rounds, handing him a setback without the kind of collapse that usually comes with a stoppage loss. The defeat ended a 15-fight winning streak and forced a visible reset.

Key moments

• Santiago Ponzinibbio won by Decision (Unanimous) after all three rounds.
• The result snapped a 15-fight winning streak.
• The bout went the distance rather than turning on a single finishing sequence.
• Strickland responded with 3 consecutive wins afterward.

Strickland beat Luke Barnatt by Decision (Split) after all three rounds, another result built on the pace and jab volume that have carried so much of his career. The victory moved him to a 15-fight winning streak and kept his momentum building.

Key moments

• Luke Barnatt was beaten by Decision (Split) after all three rounds.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 15-fight winning streak.
• It showed the early version of the long-fight patience that later drove his middleweight title run.
• The bout stands as another clean win in one of the better sustained stretches of his record.

Strickland beat Bubba McDaniel with a first-round rear-naked choke to earn his first UFC finish. The win mattered because it capped the long regional streak he brought into the promotion and kept his early Octagon run moving in the right direction.

Key moments

• Earned a first-round rear-naked choke at 4:33.
• It was his first UFC stoppage win.
• The result pushed his career-opening streak to fifteen straight victories.
• He followed it with a split-decision win over Luke Barnatt before suffering his first pro loss.

Strickland stopped Matt Lagler by TKO (Punches) at 4:59 of round 1, another sharp result from the long winning stretches that built his UFC profile. The victory moved him to a 13-fight winning streak and kept his momentum building.

Key moments

• Matt Lagler was finished by TKO (Punches) at 4:59 of round 1.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 13-fight winning streak.
• The stoppage reinforced that earlier phases of his career produced more finishes than his later championship run.
• Strickland followed this performance with 2 consecutive wins.

Strickland beat Yusuke Sakashita by Decision (Unanimous) after all five rounds, another result built on the pace and jab volume that have carried so much of his career. The victory moved him to a 12-fight winning streak and kept his momentum building.

Key moments

• Yusuke Sakashita was beaten by Decision (Unanimous) after all five rounds.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 12-fight winning streak.
• It showed the early version of the long-fight patience that later drove his middleweight title run.
• Strickland followed this performance with 3 consecutive wins.

Strickland stopped Bill Albrecht by KO (Punch) at 2:41 of round 1, another sharp result from the long winning stretches that built his UFC profile. The victory moved him to a 11-fight winning streak and kept his momentum building.

Key moments

• Bill Albrecht was finished by KO (Punch) at 2:41 of round 1.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 11-fight winning streak.
• The stoppage reinforced that earlier phases of his career produced more finishes than his later championship run.
• Strickland followed this performance with 4 consecutive wins.

Strickland beat Josh Bryant by Decision (Split) after all three rounds, another result built on the pace and jab volume that have carried so much of his career. The victory moved him to a 10-fight winning streak and kept his momentum building.

Key moments

• Josh Bryant was beaten by Decision (Split) after all three rounds.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 10-fight winning streak.
• It showed the early version of the long-fight patience that later drove his middleweight title run.
• Strickland followed this performance with 5 consecutive wins.

Strickland stopped Brandon Hunt by TKO (Punches) at 3:24 of round 1, another sharp result from the long winning stretches that built his UFC profile. The victory moved him to a 9-fight winning streak and kept his momentum building.

Key moments

• Brandon Hunt was finished by TKO (Punches) at 3:24 of round 1.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 9-fight winning streak.
• The stoppage reinforced that earlier phases of his career produced more finishes than his later championship run.
• Strickland followed this performance with 6 consecutive wins.

Strickland stopped Brandon Hunt by TKO (Punches) at 3:48 of round 1, another sharp result from the long winning stretches that built his UFC profile. The victory moved him to a 8-fight winning streak and kept his momentum building.

Key moments

• Brandon Hunt was finished by TKO (Punches) at 3:48 of round 1.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 8-fight winning streak.
• The stoppage reinforced that earlier phases of his career produced more finishes than his later championship run.
• Strickland followed this performance with 7 consecutive wins.

Strickland stopped Brett Sbardella by KO (Punches) at 1:03 of round 1, another sharp result from the long winning stretches that built his UFC profile. The victory moved him to a 7-fight winning streak and kept his momentum building.

Key moments

• Brett Sbardella was finished by KO (Punches) at 1:03 of round 1.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 7-fight winning streak.
• The stoppage reinforced that earlier phases of his career produced more finishes than his later championship run.
• Strickland followed this performance with 8 consecutive wins.

Strickland finished Donavin Hawkey by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 1:21 of round 1, a reminder that the earlier version of his record was more finish-heavy than the five-round decision grinder he later became. The victory moved him to a 6-fight winning streak and kept his momentum building.

Key moments

• Donavin Hawkey was finished by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 1:21 of round 1.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 6-fight winning streak.
• The finish added to a submission column that became less common later in his UFC career.
• Strickland followed this performance with 9 consecutive wins.

Strickland stopped Adriel Montes by TKO (Punches) at 1:05 of round 2, another sharp result from the long winning stretches that built his UFC profile. The victory moved him to a 5-fight winning streak and kept his momentum building.

Key moments

• Adriel Montes was finished by TKO (Punches) at 1:05 of round 2.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 5-fight winning streak.
• The stoppage reinforced that earlier phases of his career produced more finishes than his later championship run.
• Strickland followed this performance with 10 consecutive wins.

Strickland beat George Interiano by Decision (Unanimous) after all three rounds, another result built on the pace and jab volume that have carried so much of his career. The victory moved him to a 4-fight winning streak and kept his momentum building.

Key moments

• George Interiano was beaten by Decision (Unanimous) after all three rounds.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 4-fight winning streak.
• It showed the early version of the long-fight patience that later drove his middleweight title run.
• Strickland followed this performance with 11 consecutive wins.

Strickland finished William Wheeler by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 1:55 of round 1, a reminder that the earlier version of his record was more finish-heavy than the five-round decision grinder he later became. It helped launch another positive stretch, and he followed it with 12 more consecutive wins.

Key moments

• William Wheeler was finished by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 1:55 of round 1.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 3-fight winning streak.
• The finish added to a submission column that became less common later in his UFC career.
• Strickland followed this performance with 12 consecutive wins.

Strickland stopped Brandon Ellsworth by TKO (Punches) at 1:28 of round 1, another sharp result from the long winning stretches that built his UFC profile. It helped launch another positive stretch, and he followed it with 13 more consecutive wins.

Key moments

• Brandon Ellsworth was finished by TKO (Punches) at 1:28 of round 1.
• The result extended Strickland's run to a 2-fight winning streak.
• The stoppage reinforced that earlier phases of his career produced more finishes than his later championship run.
• Strickland followed this performance with 13 consecutive wins.

Strickland finished Tyler Pottett by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 1:53 of round 2, a reminder that the earlier version of his record was more finish-heavy than the five-round decision grinder he later became. It helped launch another positive stretch, and he followed it with 14 more consecutive wins.

Key moments

• Tyler Pottett was finished by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 1:53 of round 2.
• The fight added another win to Strickland's steady rise through the division.
• The finish added to a submission column that became less common later in his UFC career.
• Strickland followed this performance with 14 consecutive wins.