Khamzat Chimaev was the last fighter to step on the scales at the UFC 328 weigh-ins. The post reveals that Chimaev cut a total of 21 kilograms (approximately 46 pounds) to make the middleweight championship limit. This represents a significant weight cut for the title challenger ahead of his bout with Sean Strickland. The magnitude of the weight cut has drawn attention from Russian MMA media covering the event.
Khamzat Chimaev stepped on the scales last at the UFC 328 weigh-ins on May 8, revealing he had shed 21 kilograms — roughly 46 pounds — to reach the middleweight championship limit ahead of his title fight against Sean Strickland the following evening.
Chimaev, known by his nickname "Borz," enters the bout carrying a 15-1-0 professional record and is ranked first in the middleweight division, also sitting tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach. He is regarded as one of the division's most complete threats, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 60 percent and 4.04 significant strikes landed per minute — numbers that reflect his well-rounded attacking style.
The sheer volume of the cut drew notable coverage from Russian MMA media outlets following the weigh-in, underscoring the scrutiny that accompanies a championship-level appearance on the scales.
Why it matters
- A 21-kilogram cut to middleweight raises questions about Chimaev's long-term future in the 185-pound division and whether he carries the weight naturally.
- As the number-one ranked contender facing the reigning champion, the outcome directly reshapes the middleweight title picture.
- Chimaev's pressure-heavy grappling style against Strickland's high-output striking sets up a compelling stylistic contrast at the top of the card.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
