Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) to regain the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 328, which took place on Saturday night, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Strickland, a +400 underdog, utilized a defensive wrestling strategy and a persistent lead jab to neutralize Chimaev’s grappling, securing his second middleweight title.

Chimaev dominated during thge first round with an early takedown and ground control, nearly securing a submission before the round ended. Strickland regained control on the feet during 2 and 3, stuffing takedowns and landing significant strikes, including a moment where he reversed Chimaev to the mat.

Chimaev landed heavy power shots in the fourth round and secured a late takedown to close the round strongly. He also scored an early takedown in the fifth round, but Strickland escaped and out-struck the champion on the feet, landing the decisive blows that influenced the judges.

After the winner was announced, Chimaev respectfully placed the title belt around Strickland’s waist before leaving the octagon, acknowledging the tough battle.

In post-fight remarks Strickland apologized for his pre-fight trash talk, saying: “I want to apologize to my American fans, to my Muslim fans and my Christian fans, I went too fucking hard, I admit it... Chechnya has great fighters. They’re savage. He’s a fucking savage. I should be a better fucking example but I try to sell these fights for you fuckers.” He also praised Chimaev’s durability, noting, “That motherfucker would not go back... Crazy.”

The event was defined by intense "bad blood" between the fighters, including Chimaev kicking Strickland during a press conference face-off. Strickland entered as a massive underdog against Chimaev’s 15-0 undefeated streak (entering the fight). This victory marks Strickland’s second title win, following his upset over Israel Adesanya in 2023, while ending Chimaev’s perfect UFC career.

Chimaev reportedly plans to move to light heavyweight for future fights, ending his reign at 185 pounds.

In other UFC 328 main card fight results, flyweight title champion Joshua Van defeated Tatsuro Taira via TKO (punches) at 1:32 of Round 5, retaining his title in a back-and-forth thriller.

In the heavyweight category Alexander Volkov** defeated Waldo Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision. In the welterweight, Sean Brady defeated Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision.

In the prelims, King Green submitted Jeremy Stephens; Yaroslav Amosov submitted Joel Alvarez; Jim Miller submitted Jared Gordon.

According to a leaked CIA assessment, Iran retains about 70% of its prewar missile stockpile and 75% of its mobile launchers, contradicting public claims by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that Iran's military capabilities had been largely destroyed.

The intelligence report indicates Iran has recovered by reopening almost all of its underground storage and launch facilities damaged during initial strikes, repairing damaged missiles, and even assembling new ones that were near completion when the war began.

Trump and Hegseth claimed Iran’s military was “crushed” and its missiles “mostly decimated,” with Trump stating Iran retained only 18–19% of its arsenal. However, the CIA analysis suggests Iran can withstand the U.S. naval blockade for at least three to four months before facing severe economic hardship, especially if it uses overland oil smuggling routes through Central Asia.

Experts note this resilience, combined with Iran’s dispersed and hardened missile infrastructure, undermines U.S. strategic leverage and may have strengthened Tehran’s negotiating position. Analysts argue the U.S. underestimated Iran’s capacity to endure economic pressure and sustain military operations, while overestimating the effectiveness of air and naval campaigns.

This Iran's military resilience complicates U.S. objectives, as analysts warn that even prolonged economic pressure may not force capitulation given the leadership's increased determination and ability to sustain domestic repression.

The assessment emerged during a fragile ceasefire, one month after a genocidal threat by Trump and a reported 60-day war that cost the U.S. an estimated $71.8 billion. Trump has publicly characterized the war as an overwhelming victory, claiming Iran’s missile arsenal is "decimated" and that the country is losing $500 million daily, assertions that directly conflict with the CIA’s findings. The U.S. has paused "Project Freedom," a mission to escort commercial vessels through the Strait.

Iran reportedly launched missiles and drones at U.S. warships on this week prompting retaliatory strikes, signaling a potential collapse of the ceasefire.

Meanwhile ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran are ongoing via Pakistan and Qatar are ongoing. Vice President Vance met Friday in the White House with one of the key mediators, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani. Tehran continues to review U.S. proposals that include demands for nuclear freeze and unrestricted strait access, with Iranian officials dismissing recent reports as an "American wish list."

The U.S. carried out strikes on Iranian military facilities on Qeshm Island and in Bandar Abbas (not Minab) after Iran attacked three U.S. Navy destroyers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, in an escalation that occurred amid a fragile ceasefire.

President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that three U.S. destroyers—USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason—successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz under fire from Iranian forces, sustaining no damage. He claimed the Iranian attack, involving missiles, drones, and small boats, was repelled with "great damage" inflicted on the attackers, stating the boats were "completely destroyed" and drones were "incinerated" mid-air, likening their fall to "a butterfly dropping to its grave."

Trump reiterated that Iran is led by "LUNATICS" and warned of far more violent U.S. retaliation if a deal is not signed "FAST."

Iran launched missiles, drones, and small boats at the USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason, but U.S. forces intercepted the threats and suffered no damage, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). In response, the U.S. struck Iranian military targets, including missile and drone launch sites, command centers, and surveillance facilities, with reports that the strikes hit Qeshm port and Bandar Abbas based on a senior U.S. official.

Trump described the U.S. retaliation as a “love tap” in call to reporters, and affirmed the ceasefire remained in effect, while warning Iran of harsher consequences if a deal was not reached quickly.

The exchange followed Iran’s earlier attack on Fujairah Port in the UAE, when it fired 12–15 ballistic and cruise missiles two days prior, which the Pentagon downplayed as not violating the ceasefire. This reportedly angered Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, who suspended U.S. access to their airspace and military bases, halting "Project Freedom"—a U.S. operation to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The restrictions were later lifted after diplomatic talks, including a call between President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Iranian state and IRGC-affiliated media reported explosions on Qeshm, air defense activations in Tehran, and confrontations at sea, but the U.S. maintained the response was limited self-defense and not a resumption of war. The incident cast doubt on ongoing negotiations for a one-page memorandum to end hostilities, with key issues like Iran’s nuclear program still unresolved.

Iran accused the U.S. of violating the ceasefire by attacking an Iranian oil tanker near Jask and conducting air assaults on coastal areas including Qeshm, Sirik, and Bandar Khamir, claiming its forces retaliated and caused "significant damage" to U.S. vessels.

Despite the exchange, Trump and U.S. officials maintained that the ceasefire announced on April 7 remains in effect, describing the U.S. response as a "love tap."

Mediated talks are ongoing, with the U.S. demanding Iran dismantle key nuclear infrastructure, while Iran proposes diluting enriched uranium and a 10–15 year enrichment pause. The U.S. has reportedly submitted a one page proposal to Iran via the Pakistani mediators, to end the war and the U.S and Iranian blockades of the Strait of Hormuz.