MMA analyst Vlad Matveev has proposed a theory that Khamzat Chimaev's conditioning issues at UFC 328 may have resulted from last-minute plan changes, suggesting he was originally preparing for a light heavyweight debut at 93kg. The analyst notes that Chimaev worked with top-tier sports science professionals for this camp, making it unlikely they would deliver such limited cardio preparation intentionally. During the fight, Chimaev appeared to fatigue significantly in the second round despite strong first-round control. The post also discusses Alexandre Pantoja vs. Tatsuro Taira as a potential ongoing rivalry, compares it to Moreno vs. Figueiredo, and mentions Alexander Volkov receiving favorable judging in close decisions. The theory about Chimaev's weight class plans remains speculation without official confirmation.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
