UFC 328 heads to New Jersey this Saturday night as Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland battle it out in one of the most intense rivalries in MMA. I’ve spiced things up even further by picking out three tasty bets for this middleweight title clash.
Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland Betting Tips
Khamzat Chimaev heads into this fight as a huge favourite according to the bookies, but that’s not exactly a surprise considering how dominant the middleweight champion has been in the UFC.
Backing the 32-year-old in the outrights makes no sense, but there are other markets which are certainly worth consideration. One of the best online bookies, bet365, are offering tasty odds on three specific markets.
| Market | Odds | Return for £10 |
|---|---|---|
| Over 2.5 Rounds | 5/6 (bet365) | £18.33 |
| Fight to go the Distance – Yes | 9/4 (bet365) | £32.50 |
| Khamzat Chimaev by Decision or Technical Decision | 16/5 (bet365) | £42.00 |
*All odds on this page are correct at 13:00 GMT on 08/04/2025. Odds subject to change.
No Expiry Date
Bet 1: Over 2.5 Rounds
Everyone is counting out Strickland in this fight, but I think the bookies have made a big mistake.
As things stand, bet365 are offering almost even money for the fight to go over 2.5 rounds, and I’m taking full advantage of that bet.
While everyone is expecting a Chimaev demolition, many are forgetting about Strickland’s toughness. The former middleweight champion has gone the distance in four of his last five fights, and he has seen this bet land in seven of his previous eight.
Bet 2: Fight to go the Distance – Yes
If you want to go a step further and back the fight to go the distance, the bookies will offer you odds of around 9/4.
A lot of people are expecting a quick finish due to the high level of animosity between both men, but I disagree.
Chiamev is not the kind of guy to let his emotions get the better of him. We saw the current champion bully Dricus du Plessis for five rounds in his last fight, and there’s no reason we couldn’t see a repeat.
Think about it. Why would Chimaev risk going for a stoppage when he could just as easily wrestle his way to victory?
Bet 3: Khamzat Chimaev by Decision or Technical Decision
Thinking along those same lines, Chimaev is available at a massive 16/5 to win the fight by decision or technical decision.
Three of his previous five fights have gone in that direction, including victories over Gilbert Burns, Kamaru Usman and the aforementioned Du Plessis.
When it comes to Strickland, his last three defeats in the UFC have all come by decision.
Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland: Head-to-Head Comparison
| Khamzat Chimaev | Stat | Sean Strickland |
|---|---|---|
| 15-0 | Record | 30-7 |
| 32 | Age | 35 |
| 188 cm | Height | 185 cm |
| 191 cm | Reach | 193 cm |
| 6-0 | KO record | 12-2 |
| 6-0 | Submission record | 4-0 |
| 4,04 | Significant strikes per minute | 6,04 |
| 60% | Striking accuracy | 42% |
| 2,32 | Significant strikes absorbed per minute | 4,57 |
| 40% | Striking defence | 60% |
| 5,29 | Takedowns per 15 min | 0,71 |
| 1,80 | Submission attempts per 15 min | 0,20 |
