MMA & Boxing — 2026-05-11
Sean Strickland pulled off one of the year's biggest upsets, defeating Khamzat Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328 to reclaim the middleweight championship. On the boxing horizon, Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua has reportedly been signed for July 25, while Oleksandr Usyk prepares for a heavyweight crossover fight with kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven. The combat sports calendar is heating up with major events stacked for the summer months.
MMA & Boxing — 2026-05-11
Fight Results
UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland — Newark, New Jersey (May 9, 2026)
The night's biggest story came from the Prudential Center: Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev via split decision to become a two-time UFC middleweight champion in what is being called a massive upset.
The result hands Chimaev his first-ever loss as a UFC fighter, shattering his undefeated record. Strickland, known for his grinding boxing style and durability, proved once again that his combination of volume striking and ring generalship can neutralize elite wrestlers and grapplers.
The co-main event also featured action at flyweight, with Joshua Van defending his title against top contender Tatsuro Taira.
Full card results, bonus winners, and analysis are available via Forbes.
Boxing: Jaime Munguia Defeats Armando Resendiz (May 4, 2026)
Just inside the coverage window, Jaime Munguia claimed a belt from Armando Resendiz in a fight that showcased the Mexican's full range of attributes. PBC noted Munguia "deserving of the belt that he took by force."
Analysis
How Strickland beat the "unbeatable" Chimaev
Entering UFC 328, Khamzat Chimaev was widely considered the most dominant middleweight prospect in recent memory — undefeated, hard-hitting, and nearly impossible to stop. Strickland, who previously lost the belt to Dricus du Plessis, entered as the clear underdog.
The split decision result suggests this was not a dominant performance by either man, but Strickland's ability to survive Chimaev's grappling attempts while landing consistent combinations likely swayed the judges over five rounds. Strickland has built a career on being able to outwork opponents who are supposed to overwhelm him — a formula he has now used successfully twice to win the middleweight title.
For Chimaev, the loss raises fundamental questions about his path forward. His dominance was predicated on being undefeated — now the aura is gone, and a rematch clause fight could potentially follow, though a rubber match was not immediately confirmed.
Coming Up
Boxing — Major Summer Schedule
- July 25, 2026 — Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua: The all-British heavyweight mega-fight is reportedly "signed, sealed and delivered," contingent on Joshua defeating Kristian Prenga in a tune-up bout. Sky Sports describes this as potentially "the most richly anticipated heavyweight bout the UK will have ever seen."
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Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven (May 2026): Undisputed heavyweight champion Usyk is set to return against heavyweight kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven in a crossover spectacle.
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UFC Schedule: The UFC continues its busy 2026 calendar following UFC 328. Full upcoming event details are listed at the UFC's official events page.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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