Sean Strickland Just Blew Up the UFC Middleweight Division

Wrestling

Year2026

Duration8m

Watch Now

7.1

Get $10 Off at BRUNT with code CHAEL  at #Bruntpod Sean Strickland stops Anthony Hernandez via TKO — and now the UFC has a real problem. Strickland was a meaningful underdog going in. But if you’ve followed his career, you know that’s when he does his best work. Doubt fuels him. Now the middleweight division is in a strange spot. We all believed Nassourdine Imavov was next for Khamzat Chimaev. It made sense. It felt lined up. But Chimaev’s manager said they’re watching the winner of Strickland vs. Hernandez. Well… Strickland won. Here’s the issue: Strickland already beat Imavov head-to-head. And in every sport in the world, head-to-head competition is the number one seeding criteria. So what does the UFC do now? Is Imavov already promised the shot? Or did Strickland just force himself back into contender status? Chael breaks it down. ⏱ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Strickland Stops Hernandez0:35 – Why Strickland Thrives as an Underdog1:40 – The Main Event Experience Advantage3:10 – Why Five Rounds Changes Everything4:20 – We Thought Imavov Was Next…5:10 – Chimaev’s Camp Changes the Narrative6:00 – The Head-to-Head Problem7:05 – Does Strickland Deserve the Shot?8:10 – What the UFC Will Actually Do Bad Guy Inc merch now available at Click here to subscribe: Follow me on IG: Follow me on Twitter: Follow me on Threads