A detailed post-event analysis of UFC 328 offers several observations about the main event and other fights. Regarding the Chimaev-Strickland bout, the author notes that Sean apologized for going too far in promoting the fight, but says this doesn't undo the damage to Chimaev's aura. Despite Strickland's trash talk, Chimaev repeatedly extended his hand, smiled, and hugged him, which would have looked impressive only if he had dominated in the rounds. Instead, Chimaev ended up on his back under Strickland in the second round. The post references a theory by Vlad Matveev that Chimaev was preparing for a 205-pound debut but plans changed at the last moment, which might explain his cardio lasting only one round despite working with top-level sports science professionals. Additional observations cover other fights on the card, including comparisons of Van-Taira to Moreno-Figueiredo and comments about Volkov's recent judging luck.
A post-event breakdown of UFC 328, published the day after the card, raises several unconfirmed observations about Khamzat Chimaev's performance against Sean Strickland — including a theory that "Borz" may have originally been preparing to debut at light heavyweight before plans changed at the last minute.
Chimaev, 32, entered the middleweight main event as the division's number-one contender and the number-ten pound-for-pound fighter in the world, carrying a 15-1 record built on relentless pressure and one of the sport's most punishing grappling games, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. His 60 percent striking accuracy is among the best in the division. Yet the analysis notes his conditioning appeared to fall off sharply after the first round, with Strickland — the reigning middleweight champion — ending up on top of Chimaev on the canvas in the second.
The author points to analyst Vlad Matveev's theory that Chimaev had been training specifically for a 205-pound appearance, with a weight-class switch shelved late, as a possible explanation for the cardio drop. This remains unverified speculation.
On the prefight narrative, the piece notes that Chimaev repeatedly offered handshakes, smiles, and embraces during the buildup despite Strickland's sustained trash talk — gestures the analysis argues would only have read as confidence had Chimaev gone on to dominate. Strickland, 35, is a six-foot-one orthodox pressure striker who lands 6.04 significant strikes per minute and now holds a 31-7 record.
The breakdown also touches on other fights from the card, drawing comparisons between a flyweight performer and the Moreno-Figueiredo rivalry, and noting that heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov — ranked first in his division with a 40-11 record — has recently benefited from favorable judging.
Why it matters
- If the weight-class theory holds any truth, it could reframe how Chimaev's team approaches his next camp and divisional future
- A credibility dent on Chimaev, the middleweight division's top-ranked fighter, reshapes the contender picture behind Strickland
- Volkov's judging luck, flagged here, may draw further scrutiny to heavyweight title eliminator bouts
Saturday, May 9, 2026
