Sean Strickland reclaimed theUFC middleweight titleon Saturday night in Abu Dhabi, edging Khamzat Chimaev by split decision in the UFC 328 main event before issuing a pointed apology to his Muslim and Christian fans for his inflammatory pre-fight talk. The American relied on his trademark jab to frustrate Chimaev over five bruising rounds, with two judges scoring the bout 48-47 in Strickland's favour and a third giving the same score to Chimaev.
The build-up to UFC 328 had been dominated less by tactics and more by Strickland's rhetoric. The 33-year-old, who previously held the middleweight belt before losing it to Chimaev, spent much of fight week hurling insults and pushing religious buttons in a bid to turn a high-stakes title fight into a grudge match. Chimaev, a Chechen-born fighter representing the UAE, came in as the betting favourite and the presumed new force at 185lb after a rapid rise through the ranks.
As soon as the belt was strapped around his waist again, Strickland grabbed the microphone and did something few expected after such a venomous build-up. He apologised.
Sean Strickland while being booed by the crowd after beating Khamzat Chimaev:“I just want to apologize to my American fans, my Muslim fans, and my Christian fans. I went to f--king hard, I'll admit it”pic.twitter.com/V5UTwCw5Hg
'I just want to apologise to my American fans, to my Muslim fans and my Christian fans,' he said in the cage. 'I went too f*cking hard. I'll admit it. I respect all you guys.'
It was not a polished media statement, more a jagged exhale after 25 minutes of attrition. He singled out Chechnya, homeland to many of Chimaev's supporters, for praise, calling its fighters 'savage' and admitting he 'should be a better f*cking example' even as he justified the pre-fight antics as part of selling the show.
Whether that lands as remorse or simply damage control will depend on how much weight is given to words spoken after the adrenaline has cooled. But the fact he felt the need to address Muslim and Christian fans directly suggests he knew he had crossed a line.
Chimaev, who absorbed the loss with a kind of weary grace, actually placed the title belt around Strickland's waist before slipping out of the octagon. For a rivalry steeped in barbs and cultural tension, it was an oddly quiet, almost respectful closing image.
If the apology was unexpected, the way the fight unfolded was its own small shock. Chimaev's aura has been built on fast starts and overwhelming pressure, and for five minutes he looked exactly like the destroyer many had forecast.
Within 15 seconds of the opening bell he had closed the distance, scored his first takedown and begun hunting Strickland's back. He pinned the American to the canvas, advancing position, floating from control to control, at one point appearing close to a choke just before the round ended. On any card, it was a clear 10-9 for the champion.
Source: International Business Times UK
