Strickland says fight left him with Type 2 AC separation and a Type V SLAP tear

Sean Strickland said this week that the shoulder damage he carried out of UFC 328 was more extensive than first known. In a post on X cited by multiple MMA outlets, Strickland listed a Type 2 AC separation, an extended Type V SLAP tear and partial rotator cuff tearing or tendinosis. The disclosure came days after Strickland beat Khamzat Chimaev by split decision in the UFC 328 main event in Newark, New Jersey, to regain the middleweight title. UFC’s official events page for Saturday, May 16, shows a Fight Night card in Las Vegas topped by Arnold Allen against Paulo Costa, not a Strickland-Chimaev rematch. ### What exactly did Strickland say he injured? Sean Strickland’s post listed three separate shoulder issues: a Type 2 acromioclavicular, or AC, separation; an extended Type V SLAP tear; and partial rotator cuff tearing or tendinosis. Sherdog, which reproduced the post on Wednesday, said all three were shoulder-related ailments. (sherdog.com) “Gonna have to walk this one off,” Strickland wrote in the same post, according to Sherdog’s report. The outlet also said Strickland had described suffering a Grade 1 AC joint separation while sparring Johnny Eblen during UFC 328 fight week. ### When did these injuries surface? (sherdog.com) May 13 was the date attached to the social-media post quoted by Sherdog and other outlets. The timing matters because the injury list emerged after Strickland’s title-winning fight with Chimaev on May 10 at the Prudential Center in Newark. (sherdog.com) UFC 328 was the bout in which Strickland defeated Chimaev by split decision to reclaim the middleweight belt. MMA Fighting’s event coverage described the result as a split-decision victory for Strickland in the main event. (sherdog.com) ### Did the injury report affect his medical status? The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board issued Strickland an indefinite medical suspension after UFC 328, according to Sherdog. The outlet tied that suspension to the shoulder injuries Strickland disclosed. (mmafighting.com) An indefinite suspension in combat sports typically means a fighter needs medical clearance before returning, though the exact timetable depends on follow-up exams and the promoter’s matchmaking. That timetable has not been publicly set by UFC in the sources reviewed. (sherdog.com) ### Is a rematch with Chimaev booked for May 16 in Las Vegas? UFC’s official schedule does not show Sean Strickland against Khamzat Chimaev on May 16 in Las Vegas. The promotion’s events page lists “Allen vs Costa” at the UFC Apex on Saturday, May 16, with no Strickland-Chimaev rematch attached to that card. Khamzat Chimaev’s camp has said it wants a second fight. (sherdog.com) CBS Sports, citing a statement attributed to Chimaev’s team, reported on May 12 that “the rematch with Sean Strickland is the only fight that Khamzat wants.” The same report said Chimaev’s brother Artur proposed October in Abu Dhabi, but noted the promotion had not announced an event that far out. (ufc.com) ### What comes next for Strickland and the division? Sean Strickland has not announced a return date in the sources reviewed. Sherdog reported that Strickland had acknowledged Nassourdine Imavov as the likely No. 1 contender, while also noting Chimaev’s camp was pushing for an immediate rematch. (cbssports.com) May 16 is the next UFC date in Las Vegas on the company’s official calendar, but it is a separate Fight Night headlined by Arnold Allen and Paulo Costa. Any Strickland title defense or Chimaev rematch would require a later booking and medical clearance following the New Jersey suspension. (ufc.com) (sherdog.com)