Ali Akbar Rosady
Chimaev, previously undefeated with a professional record of 15-0, faced former champion Sean Strickland in a highly anticipated middleweight bout on October 26 at UFC 328 in Abu Dhabi. The fight, which headlined the event, resulted in Chimaev suffering his first professional defeat via a split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47), marking a significant shift in the landscape of the middleweight division.
Following the contest, which saw Chimaev start strongly in the first round before visibly slowing in the subsequent rounds, speculation began to circulate regarding his conditioning. Much of the online discourse and comments from Chimaev’s inner circle pointed towards a particularly arduous weight cut to meet the 185-pound middleweight limit. Artur Chimaev, Khamzat’s brother, and Arman Tsarukyan, a close training partner, both attributed the fighter’s diminished performance to the severity of the weight-cutting process, with Tsarukyan specifically claiming Chimaev had to cut 12 pounds in the final 24 hours leading up to the weigh-ins. Tsarukyan even suggested Chimaev nearly abandoned the cut due to extreme difficulty.
However, du Plessis, who secured the middleweight title by defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January, offered a starkly different perspective on the matter. Speaking to Fight Forecast, the South African champion was unequivocal in his dismissal of the weight cut as a legitimate reason for the loss.
"I think this whole weight cut excuse is ridiculous, to be honest with you," du Plessis stated. "I think Tsarukyan said he cut 12 pounds in the 24 hours. Those are rookie numbers. Twelve pounds in 24 hours, that’s not that bad. [46 pounds] in total, over the camp it doesn’t matter. What matters is that last 24 hours and 12 pounds is not that much. I’ve definitely done more than that."
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Weight cutting is an inherent and often grueling aspect of mixed martial arts, where fighters dehydrate themselves to meet specific divisional limits before rehydrating rapidly for competition. While a cut of 12 pounds in 24 hours is substantial, it is not uncommon for professional fighters, particularly those with larger frames competing in lower weight classes, to shed similar or even greater amounts in the final stages of a weight cut. The efficacy and safety of such practices remain a perennial topic of debate within the sport, with extreme cuts often cited as detrimental to a fighter’s health and in-cage performance, impacting attributes like cardio, chin durability, and overall strength.
Du Plessis acknowledged the inherent difficulties of the process but emphasized personal accountability. "Yeah, sometimes I’ve had bad weight cuts, too. I have. Everybody that cuts weight has had that experience where the next day you feel ‘ugh’ and you have a bad cut. One kilogram can make the world’s difference in a weight cut. I just think using a weight cut as an excuse when it comes to the fight, even if you did have a bad weight cut, it’s fine. It’s happened to all of us, but you don’t go out and say, ‘I lost the fight because of that.’ No."
The champion elaborated on his philosophy, drawing parallels between blaming a poor weight cut and admitting insufficient preparation. "If you want to change weight divisions, change weight divisions, but blaming a bad weight cut is like saying, ‘I lost the fight because I wasn’t fit.’ It’s on you. Be more disciplined. Be more disciplined then and the weight cut will be easier. Any excuse, for me, when you get into the octagon, there is no excuse."
The fight itself was a tactical battle. Chimaev, known for his dominant grappling and aggressive pressure, initially overwhelmed Strickland with a powerful takedown and ground control in the first round. However, Strickland, a veteran striker renowned for his relentless pace, defensive wrestling, and high-volume striking, effectively neutralized Chimaev’s grappling threat in the subsequent rounds. Strickland’s ability to defend takedowns and maintain distance forced Chimaev to rely more heavily on his striking, an area where Strickland holds a distinct advantage. As the fight progressed, Chimaev’s output diminished, and he appeared increasingly fatigued, allowing Strickland to dictate the tempo and land cleaner strikes, ultimately swaying two of the three judges in his favor.
Du Plessis expressed surprise at the split decision verdict, indicating a clearer outcome from his perspective. "Crazy thing is where people go, ‘Oh, it was a robbery,’" du Plessis said. "I can’t believe it was a split decision. It was a very clear three rounds for Strickland, two rounds for Khamzat. That was it. It was a great fight." He further commended Strickland’s performance, adding, "I think Strickland did what most people thought he couldn’t do, but I just had the feeling being in there with both of these guys, both of them are phenomenal at what they do. I just think that Strickland he was better being able to be all-around than Khamzat in that fight."
The loss to Strickland dealt a significant blow to Chimaev’s undefeated record and his perceived invincibility, particularly after his impressive performance against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 294. Following UFC 328, UFC CEO Dana White publicly stated that Chimaev was considering a move up to the light heavyweight division (205 pounds), a weight class where he has competed before. However, Chimaev’s management team has also signaled their desire for an immediate rematch against Strickland at middleweight, highlighting the fighter’s competitive drive to avenge his first career loss.
Du Plessis weighed in on Chimaev’s potential next steps, acknowledging the impact of the loss on his rival’s standing while questioning the justification for an immediate rematch. "I think a lot of aura was lost in that, but I mean, Khamzat’s still an incredible, incredible fighter," du Plessis observed. "People don’t necessarily enjoy that fighting style, but he’s so dominant, he has been. This fight is going to go one of two ways for him. Is this going to break him or is this going to motivate him to say, ‘Listen, I can’t just rely on my wrestling. I need to fight MMA,’ because that is at the end of the day where this sport is heading. The wrestling guys have been so dominant that everybody’s starting to catch up."
Regarding a potential rematch with Strickland, du Plessis was direct in his assessment. "For Khamzat, he said he wants to go to 205. The easier route for sure, to take off the burden of a weight cut, but I don’t know. I honestly don’t know. You know with Khamzat, he says one thing, then he says another thing, he said he’s moving up to 205 to Dana, but now he’s calling Strickland for a rematch. I don’t think he deserves a rematch. He definitely doesn’t because he has no title defenses, zero. So it doesn’t justify a rematch at all, but it’s going to be interesting to see what he does next."
Chimaev’s career trajectory remains a focal point of discussion within the UFC. While his talent is undeniable, his first professional loss and the ensuing debate over its causes present a critical juncture for "Borz" as he navigates the highly competitive landscape of either the middleweight or light heavyweight division. His next move will undoubtedly be scrutinized, shaping perceptions of his resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.
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