Khamzat Chimaev barely made the 84kg weight limit for his UFC 328 fight, appearing at the weigh-in just 20 minutes before the deadline. According to the post, Chimaev looked unwell during the weigh-in process. There is a suggestion that the commissioner may have recorded the official weight before the scale fully balanced, raising questions about whether he actually made weight. Dana White has reportedly advised Dillon Danis not to attend UFC 328 due to concerns about potential retaliation from Chimaev's team. The post also notes that the recent press conference was chaotic, with Sean Strickland repeating familiar insults while Chimaev responded loudly.
Khamzat Chimaev cut it extremely close at the UFC 328 weigh-ins on May 8, arriving just 20 minutes before the deadline and registering exactly 84 kilograms — the middleweight limit — under circumstances that have already drawn scrutiny. Reports indicate Chimaev appeared visibly unwell during the process, and questions have emerged over whether the commissioner recorded his official weight before the scale had fully settled, casting doubt on whether he legitimately made the mark.
Adding another layer of disorder to fight week, Dana White reportedly advised Dillon Danis to stay away from UFC 328 entirely, citing fears of potential retaliation from Chimaev's camp. A pre-event press conference also turned chaotic, with Sean Strickland delivering his familiar brand of provocations while Chimaev responded loudly throughout.
The two fighters are set to meet on May 9 with the middleweight championship on the line. Chimaev, 32, enters ranked first in the division and tenth pound-for-pound with a record of 15-1-0. Fighting out of the UAE under the Allstars Training Center banner, he brings an elite grappling threat, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing strikes at a 60 percent accuracy rate.
Strickland, 35, is the reigning middleweight champion, carrying a 31-7-0 record into the bout. The Xtreme Couture product stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and produces one of the highest striking outputs in the division at 6.04 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Weigh-in irregularities could have contractual and competitive consequences if Chimaev's weight is formally disputed
- A Chimaev victory would dethrone the reigning champion and elevate the number-one-ranked contender to gold
- The stylistic contrast is stark — Chimaev's relentless wrestling against Strickland's high-volume boxing — making weight and physical condition especially relevant heading into fight night
Saturday, May 9, 2026
