Photos have been released showing Khamzat Chimaev's current physical form before UFC 328. The post invites fan reactions to the champion's conditioning as fight week approaches. Chimaev is scheduled to make his first title defense at the event. The images are part of standard UFC promotional photography during fight week. No specific details about his weight, training camp, or condition were provided beyond the visual evidence in the photos.
Fight week for UFC 328 has arrived, and promotional photos released Tuesday offer fans their first look at Khamzat Chimaev's physical condition ahead of the middleweight title defense scheduled for May 9.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," holds a 15-1-0 record and carries the middleweight championship into what will be his first defense of the belt. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, is ranked first in the division and sits tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he has built his reputation on a suffocating combination of wrestling and striking. He lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 60 percent, and his takedown rate of 5.29 per 15 minutes ranks among the most dominant in the sport. He also averages 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, reflecting how consistently he threatens on the mat.
The photos, part of the UFC's standard fight-week promotional rollout, provide no specific data on weight or training camp details — they serve primarily as visual confirmation that Chimaev is present and preparing as the event nears.
Why it matters
- Chimaev enters as a first-time title defender, meaning the middleweight championship is on the line for a historic moment in his career.
- His position atop the divisional rankings and inside the top ten pound-for-pound makes his conditioning a point of genuine interest for the division as a whole.
- Any visible signs of his physical state during fight week carry added weight given the scrutiny that has followed his past weight management leading into major bouts.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
