MMA Legends Back Sean Strickland to Upset Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328
The combat sports world is bracing for a collision at UFC 328 as the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev prepares to defend his middleweight title against former champion Sean Strickland. While the betting odds heavily favor the Russian phenom, two of the sport’s most decorated athletes, Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman, are signaling that an upset is well within the realm of possibility.
- The Matchup: Khamzat Chimaev (15-0) defends his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at the Prudential Center.
- The Odds: Sean Strickland enters the bout as a +425 underdog.
- Cejudo’s Move: Henry Cejudo has wagered $1,000 on Strickland to win.
- Usman’s View: Kamaru Usman picks Chimaev to win but acknowledges the value in a $250 bet on Strickland.
Cejudo Bets Big on “Styles Make Fights”
Former dual-weight champion Henry Cejudo isn’t just predicting a shock—he’s putting his money where his mouth is. Cejudo has wagered $1,000 on Sean Strickland to hand Khamzat Chimaev his first professional loss and reclaim the 185lb championship.
Cejudo’s confidence stems from a technical analysis of Strickland’s striking and resilience. Speaking on the Pound4Pound podcast, Cejudo highlighted the specific tools Strickland possesses that could neutralize Chimaev’s aggression.
“I personally feel like the jab, the teep kick, and the fact that his style is just a little bit different could be problematic for a guy like Khamzat Chimaev,” Cejudo stated. “Styles make fights.”
Beyond the striking, Cejudo pointed to Strickland’s ability to survive wrestling exchanges, noting that the former champion has consistently shown he can return to his feet after being taken down. Because he is retired, Cejudo is free to gamble on the bout, leading him to “go big” on the +425 odds.
Usman: Picking the Winner vs. Finding the Value
Kamaru Usman offers a more nuanced perspective. As an active UFC fighter, Usman is prohibited from betting on MMA bouts, but he shared how he would allocate his funds if he could. Unlike Cejudo, Usman actually picks Chimaev to win the fight.
However, the former welterweight champion admits that the massive odds on Strickland are too tempting to ignore. Usman suggested he would back Strickland to the tune of $250, purely based on the potential payout.
“I will go $250 on Sean Strickland just because it’s a good bet. But I’m picking Khamzat Chimaev to win,” Usman explained, noting that a $1,000 bet would be “too rich” for his blood.
The Road to the Prudential Center
The main event at the Prudential Center serves as the resolution to a bitter feud between Chimaev and Strickland. For Chimaev, the fight is about maintaining a perfect 15-0 record and cementing his dominance in the division. For Strickland, it is an opportunity to prove that his disciplined striking and durability can overcome the raw power and grappling of the champion.
With the backing of legends like Cejudo and the strategic “value” recognition from Usman, the narrative surrounding UFC 328 has shifted from a guaranteed victory for Chimaev to a high-stakes gamble on one of the most unpredictable fighters in the middleweight division.