Ali Akbar Rosady
Khamzat Chimaev’s previously unblemished professional record now stands at 13 wins and 1 loss following his split decision defeat to Sean Strickland at UFC 328, a bout that saw him relinquish the UFC Middleweight Championship in his inaugural defense. The loss has prompted significant commentary from Chimaev’s camp, specifically from his brother Artur Chimaev, who has attributed the fighter’s noticeably diminished performance to a severe and problematic weight cut, going as far as to claim his body "shut down" during the process.
The highly anticipated main event, held on Saturday, saw Chimaev display his characteristic aggression and grappling prowess in a dominant first round. However, as the fight progressed into the championship rounds, a clear shift in momentum occurred. Chimaev appeared increasingly sluggish, allowing Strickland, known for his relentless pressure and volume striking, to dictate the pace and ultimately secure a split decision victory (48-47, 47-48, 48-47). This marked the first time in Chimaev’s career that he had been taken beyond the third round, let alone suffered a defeat.
Whispers of a difficult weight cut for Chimaev (13-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) had circulated in the days leading up to UFC 328. His appearance on the official morning weigh-ins scale was met with scrutiny, with observers noting a visible discomfort. Immediately following the conclusion of the main event, UFC commentator Joe Rogan speculated that Chimaev’s struggles might have stemmed from an unexpected pivot in his fight preparations. Rogan suggested that Chimaev had initially been preparing for a move to the light heavyweight division (205 pounds) before receiving a late-notice call to defend his middleweight title (185 pounds) against Strickland.
This theory has since been corroborated by Chimaev’s brother, Artur Chimaev, in an interview with sports.ru. Artur detailed the critical health issues encountered during the weight cut, stating, "There was a problem with the weight cut. The question became whether to cancel the fight or take the risk. When there was [2.7 pounds] left, his body shut down… Oxygen deprivation. His body malfunctioned. We had to stop for an hour because his health wouldn’t allow him to continue." Artur further conveyed Khamzat’s own apprehension about his condition, adding, "Khamzat himself said he didn’t know how he’d fight in that condition."
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Artur’s account provided crucial context for the reported difficulties. He revealed that an agreement had been in place with the UFC for Khamzat to fight former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jiri Prochazka (30-4-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) at 205 pounds. Prochazka, known for his aggressive and unorthodox striking, represents a significant challenge in the light heavyweight division. However, this plan was reportedly altered, and Chimaev was subsequently asked to face Strickland for the middleweight title. Accepting the challenge, Chimaev was then faced with the daunting task of cutting from an initial weight of approximately 231 pounds down to the 185-pound middleweight limit. By the time of the fight, he had reportedly only managed to regain between 11 to 13 pounds, a notably low rehydration for a professional fighter of his caliber, typically indicating a severe pre-fight dehydration. Two weeks prior to the fight, his weight was recorded at 214 pounds, further illustrating the rapid and extreme nature of the cut required.
The issue of Khamzat Chimaev’s weight has been a recurring theme throughout his UFC career. Known for his versatility and willingness to compete across multiple divisions, Chimaev initially made his mark at welterweight (170 pounds) before transitioning to middleweight. However, his welterweight aspirations were largely derailed by an egregious weight miss at UFC 279 in September 2022. On that occasion, Chimaev weighed in over seven pounds above the non-title welterweight limit for his scheduled main event bout against Nate Diaz. This unprecedented miss forced the promotion to undertake a drastic reshuffle of the top three fights on the card, impacting highly anticipated matchups involving Tony Ferguson, Kevin Holland, and Daniel Rodriguez. The incident effectively closed the door on his future at 170 pounds, pushing him definitively towards the middleweight division.
More recently, lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who assisted Chimaev in his preparations for the Strickland fight, publicly claimed that Chimaev had to cut an astonishing 46 pounds to make championship weight for UFC 328. While specific details of weight cutting protocols are often guarded by fight camps, a cut of such magnitude is universally considered extreme and potentially detrimental to a fighter’s health and performance. Professional fighters frequently manage significant weight cuts, but the rapid reduction of over 20% of one’s body weight, as implied by Tsarukyan’s statement and Artur Chimaev’s figures, places immense strain on the body, leading to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and potential organ stress, all of which can severely impact cardiovascular output, stamina, and cognitive function during competition.
Despite the highly publicized weight cut issues and the subsequent loss, the future for Khamzat Chimaev appears to be a move up to light heavyweight. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed this trajectory, revealing that Chimaev had communicated his plan to campaign at 205 pounds following the defeat to Strickland. White’s statement aligns with the narrative put forth by Artur Chimaev regarding the initial plan to fight Jiri Prochazka.
However, Chimaev himself has hinted at unfinished business in the middleweight division. In a post on social media after the fight, he addressed Strickland directly, stating, "see you again soon," leaving the door open for a potential rematch. This sentiment was echoed and reinforced by his brother Artur, who made it clear that a rematch against Sean Strickland is the immediate priority for the Chechen-Swedish fighter. "We’ve requested a rematch with Strickland," Artur confirmed. "There’s an event in Abu Dhabi in October and we want to do it there." The UFC frequently hosts major events in Abu Dhabi, a location that has become a strategic hub for the promotion, particularly for fighters with strong fan bases in the Middle East and Europe.
Artur Chimaev articulated his brother’s resolve: "Khamzat isn’t the type of person to move to another weight class and leave unanswered questions behind. We want the second fight. Right now we have no other goals." This stance suggests a strong desire from Chimaev to rectify the loss under what his camp believes would be fairer circumstances, without the debilitating effects of an extreme weight cut.
Sean Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC), an American fighter known for his unique personality and pressure-heavy striking style, captured the middleweight title with a shocking upset victory over Israel Adesanya in September 2023. His win over Chimaev solidified his position at the top of the division, demonstrating his ability to execute a tactical game plan and withstand the initial onslaught of a dangerous opponent. A rematch between Strickland and Chimaev, particularly under the lights of a major UFC event in Abu Dhabi, would undoubtedly be a highly anticipated contest, allowing Chimaev to potentially prove his dominance at 185 pounds without the reported physical hindrances, or for Strickland to further cement his status as a formidable champion. The coming months will reveal whether the UFC will accede to Chimaev’s request for an immediate rematch or if his future lies definitively in the light heavyweight division.
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