Khamzat Chimaev makes weight for UFC 328 middleweight title bout

Khamzat Chimaev successfully hit the 185-pound middleweight limit ahead of his UFC 328 title fight on May 9, 2026, though reports indicate the cut was far from straightforward, with Chimaev among the last fighters to weigh in before confirming the bout would proceed as scheduled.

The 32-year-old Chimaev, representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, enters the championship fight as the number-one ranked middleweight and sits at number 10 in the pound-for-pound rankings. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, the orthodox fighter carries a 15-1-0 record and has built his reputation on a suffocating blend of striking and grappling. He lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at an exceptional 60 percent accuracy, while also averaging an elite 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. That combination has made "Borz" one of the most feared fighters in the sport across multiple divisions, and the difficult cut to middleweight raises questions about his long-term future at 185 pounds.

His opponent, Sean Strickland, is not included in the verified data provided, so details on the champion are not available here.

Why it matters

• Chimaev's reported struggle to make weight could affect his performance and recovery heading into fight night
• A victory would elevate the number-one ranked contender to middleweight champion and further cement his pound-for-pound standing
• Chimaev's elite takedown volume and striking accuracy present a complex stylistic challenge for any championship-level opponent