The recent defeat of Khamzat Chimaev by Sean Strickland at UFC 328 has sparked widespread discussion across the mixed martial arts community. Among those sharing their insights is Luke Rockhold, a former UFC middleweight titleholder, who offered his perspective on this 185-pound championship bout during an episode of the JAXXON Podcast.
The ex-Strikeforce and UFC champion has a known history of training alongside ‘Borz’ in recent periods, indicating a clear bond with Chimaev. In contrast, Rockhold and Strickland share a distinctly antagonistic past. They were initially scheduled to face each other at UFC 268, but Rockhold withdrew from the planned November 2021 confrontation with Strickland due to a herniated disc injury in his back.
Providing his commentary on the primary contest of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s most recent pay-per-view event, Rockhold stated [as reported by MMA Junkie],
“Perhaps his victory stemmed from the significant +400 or +500 betting odds. My assessment is that Khamzat [Chimaev] was the true victor. Chimaev secured rounds four and five. He dictated the concluding rhythm of the contest, a characteristic of champions, and thus, he merits the title.”
“The purpose of a jab is to alter the trajectory of a fight. Every jab landed by Sean [Strickland] was accompanied by backward movement. One must inflict harm and force their opponent to retreat. … The solitary round unequivocally belonging to Sean was Round 2. Round 3 was ambiguous, potentially favoring either fighter. Round 4 was unequivocally Khamzat’s. He significantly ramped up the intensity, connecting with more impactful strikes. Sean did land crisp jabs, but these were typically after stoppages or light, probing jabs. They functioned as preparatory moves.”
Luke Rockhold identified “dubious elements” within the judging of Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland at UFC 328
Elaborating further on his opinions concerning the May 9th 185-pound championship encounter between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland, Rockhold proceeded to state [as reported by MMA Junkie],
“Those actions served as preemptive measures, predominantly defensive in nature. Subsequently, in the fifth round, he [Chimaev] also managed to force him into a retreating position. He had the potential to claim rounds one, three, four, and five. The sole round that unambiguously belonged to Sean was the second. Khamzat connected with more impactful blows. This outcome defies logical explanation. The only conceivable rationale is his status as a +500 underdog. There are occasional questionable elements concerning desired winners. Perhaps they simply wished for Sean to emerge victorious because of his persona. The decision could have been influenced.”
