Sean Strickland's coach confirms new UFC champ got 'hurt pretty bad' just days before Khamzat Chimaev upset

Sean Strickland became a two-time UFC middleweight champion by defeating undefeated Khamzat Chimaev via split decision at UFC 328 in Newark on Saturday, May 10, 2026. Strickland had injured his shoulder on Tuesday of fight week during a sparring session with former PFL middleweight champion Johnny Eblen, when he landed into a wall. His coach at Xtreme Couture, Eric Nicksick, confirmed on The Ariel Helwani Show that the injury was 'hurt pretty bad,' though Strickland largely concealed the handicap during the fight despite throwing fewer right-hand punches late in the bout.