Alex Pereira, Chris Pratt, Theo Von and More Reacts to Sean Strickland Upsetting Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328

Sean Strickland's technical performance to win the middleweight title from Khamzat Chimaev becomes the biggest story of the year so far.

Alex Pereira, Chris Pratt, Theo Von and More Reacts to Sean Strickland Upsetting Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328

Sean Strickland defeats Khamzat Chimaev (via FOX Sports)

In Short
  • Sean Strickland won the middleweight title at UFC 328, defeating Khamzat Chimaev by split decision.
  • Celebrities like Alex Pereira, Chris Pratt, and Theo Von publicly celebrated Strickland's victory.
  • Concerns were raised about Khamzat Chimaev's weight cut impacting his performance during the fight.

Sean Strickland undoubtedly cemented himself as one of the greatest middleweights in UFC history at UFC 328. His technical performance over Khamzat Chimaev unquestionably boosted his legacy in the division. The newly crowned champion entered the bout as a big underdog. When the decision was announced at the Prudential Center, fans and MMA fighters roared in unison with loud cheers.

The fight began with early takedowns and heavy grappling pressure from Chimaev. Strickland adjusted by improving distance control and defending wrestling attempts. He responded with a steady jab, striking to slow Chimaev’s pace. The fight remained competitive as control shifted in the middle rounds. However, Strickland finished stronger in the championship rounds to secure a split decision win after five rounds.

Former UFC two-division champion Alex Pereira, sitting in the crowd with trainer Plinio Cruz, reacted during UFC 328. Pereira was seen jumping out of his chair as Strickland’s performance unfolded in the championship rounds. The newly crowned champion had previously been seen sparring with Pereira weeks before the UFC 328 title fight. The pair have remained close since their UFC 276 encounter in 2022.

Popular podcaster and comedian Theo Von also publicly saluted Strickland after he became a two-time middleweight champion at UFC 328. Strickland and Von have maintained a friendly relationship built over multiple podcast appearances and public interactions. Strickland previously appeared on Von’s podcast This Past Weekend, where he spoke openly about childhood abuse and personal mental health struggles.

Popular actor Chris Pratt, an avid UFC fan, reacted positively to Strickland’s UFC 328 middleweight title win. Pratt has followed UFC events closely and was previously linked to a public exchange with Israel Adesanya ahead of UFC 276. In his reaction, Pratt praised Strickland’s performance and championship victory. He also raised questions about whether Chimaev’s weight cut may have affected his performance.

UFC 328 drew major attention due to the heated rivalry between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev. The matchup generated strong interest due to their contrasting styles and buildups. This increased viewership for the main event. Strickland won as a major underdog and ended the Chechen phenom’s unbeaten streak, strengthening his status as one of the greatest middleweights in UFC history.

RELATED
Sean Strickland Makes Weight Miss Accusation Towards Khamzat Chimaev in Expletive-Filled Rant

Fighters and celebrities react to Sean Strickland’s UFC 328 championship win

Shocking the world has become a familiar pattern for Sean Strickland in the UFC. He first stunned MMA fans at UFC 293 when he defeated Israel Adesanya to win the middleweight title. He did it again at UFC 328 by defeating Khamzat Chimaev. The result drew attention across combat sports, with Ryan Garcia and Sean O’Malley congratulating and praising Tarzan’s performance at the Prudential Center.

Sean Strickland at UFC 328
Sean Strickland at UFC 328 (via X)

UFC journalist Nina Marie Daniele reacted emotionally to Sean Strickland’s UFC 328 victory, jumping and celebrating due to her close friendship with him. NFL star Maxx Crosby also reacted strongly to Strickland becoming champion. Crosby, who was seen sparring with Strickland back in 2023, followed the fight closely and showed enthusiasm after the win over Khamzat Chimaev.

UFC veterans Matt Brown and Belal Muhammad questioned whether Khamzat Chimaev’s weight cut affected his UFC 328 performance. They suggested the extreme cut may have impacted his endurance during the fight. The Chechen superstar appeared fatigued in later rounds, with reports noting he had lost around 21 kilograms in a week leading into the bout.

Middleweight contenders Nassourdine Imavov and Dricus Du Plessis both positioned themselves as potential challengers for Sean Strickland’s first title defense after UFC 328. Imavov expressed readiness for a title shot and sent a warning to the new 185-pound champion. DDP, who already holds two wins over Strickland at UFC 297 and UFC 312, believes he can secure a third victory if given another opportunity.

Also Read: