In a stunning turn of events at UFC 328, Sean Strickland reclaimed the UFC middleweight title with a split decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev in Newark, New Jersey. But don't expect a permanently changed man, says UFC CEO Dana White.

Following his championship win, Strickland offered a rare, raw glimpse into his mindset during the post-fight press conference. He opened up about how he was made to believe he was a "bad person" and a "bad guy," revealing that fighting gave him a sense of self-worth he never thought possible. It was a moment of vulnerability that surprised many in the MMA world.

Speaking after Sunday's Zuffa Boxing event at the Meta APEX, White poured cold water on the idea that this marks a permanent shift in Strickland's personality. "I highly doubt that we have a new and improved Sean Strickland," White said bluntly. "I'll believe it when I see it, but I'm not buying it."

Strickland has now pulled off two of the biggest championship upsets in UFC history, first against Israel Adesanya and now against the previously unstoppable Chimaev. Along the way, his unfiltered approach to fight promotion has made him one of the most talked-about—and polarizing—figures in the sport. Whether you love him or hate him, you can't ignore him.

White acknowledged that the intense buildup to the fight, which blurred the lines between promotion and reality, likely contributed to Strickland's reflective state. "Going through what they both went through leading up to this fight, I think that night, all of the emotion comes out after the win—and, yes, he broke his nose in the first round," White explained. "I don't know how long that will last."

While White hopes Strickland's newfound introspection sticks, he remains skeptical. "If that's where he's headed now, nobody's happier than me. I promise you that. But I'm not buying it."

For fight fans, the question remains: Will we see a more focused, mature Strickland moving forward, or will the old firebrand return? Either way, the middleweight division just got a lot more interesting.