Sean Strickland is back on top.

The American returned the middleweight championship to the U.S. with a split decision victory over previously unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev, 48-47, 47-48, 48-47, in the main event of UFC 328 at Prudential Center on Saturday night.

A fight marked during fight week for its elevated security presence was preceded during introductions by roughly a dozen uniformed police and other personnel tasked with ensuring no shenanigans minutes before the fight torpedoed the sanctioned action.

Sean Strickland delivers a jab to Khamzat Chimaev during his middleweight victory at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026 at Prudential Center. John Jones-Imagn Images

Whether necessary or not, they were successful in that endeavor.

Chimaev wasted little time going to his bread and butter, taking down Strickland (31-7, 16 finishes) within 20 seconds of the start.…