Sean Strickland is the new UFC Middleweight champion—and he has the broken nose to prove it.

In a gritty, five-round war at UFC 328, Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev via split decision to reclaim the title he first won in 2023. But the victory came at a cost. Shortly after the fight, Strickland posted a graphic photo of his clearly broken nose on social media. It's not a pretty sight—but it tells the story of a champion who refused to back down.

This isn't Strickland's first rodeo with a broken nose. He suffered a similar injury during his rematch against Dricus du Plessis, an injury he later said affected his performance and contributed to a lopsided loss. This time, however, the outcome was different.

And the damage didn't stop at his face. During the post-fight press conference, Strickland revealed he also suffered a Grade 1 AC joint separation in his shoulder just four days before the fight while sparring Johnny Eblen. Despite the injury, he pushed through five grueling rounds to outlast Chimaev and claim the belt.

Recovery time for a broken nose can range from six to eight weeks—or longer—before full-contact training is safe. But for a fighter who just became the first man to hand Chimaev a professional loss, the pain is likely worth it.

Strickland (31-7) is now on a two-fight win streak, having snapped Anthony Hernandez's lengthy winning streak before taking down Chimaev. Not bad for a guy held together by tape and sheer stubbornness.

For fans who love seeing champions wear their battle scars with pride, Strickland's latest title run is a reminder that greatness often comes with a price—and sometimes, a broken nose is just part of the deal.