Dana White commented on Khamzat Chimaev's increasingly difficult weight cuts as his career has advanced. White noted that Chimaev started at welterweight and now struggles significantly to make middleweight. The UFC president attributed the difficulty to lifestyle changes that come with success making weight management more challenging. White stated that Chimaev has fully realized his potential, becoming a UFC champion after initially appearing to be someone special. The comments came following Chimaev's loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 328.
UFC President Dana White spoke publicly on May 10, 2026, about Khamzat Chimaev's long-running battle with weight management, offering candid remarks in the wake of Chimaev's loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 328 the night before.
White traced the arc of Chimaev's weight issues from the beginning of his UFC tenure, noting that the fighter first competed at welterweight before moving up, and now faces significant difficulty making middleweight. The UFC president pointed to the lifestyle changes that accompany success as a key factor, suggesting that the trappings of fame and achievement make disciplined weight management increasingly hard to maintain. White also acknowledged that Chimaev had fully delivered on his enormous early promise, reaching UFC champion status after first arriving on the scene as an obvious standout talent.
Chimaev, now 32 years old and representing the United Arab Emirates out of Allstars Training Center, holds a professional record of 15 wins and 1 loss. He competes at middleweight, where he entered UFC 328 ranked first in the division and tenth in the pound-for-pound rankings. The six-foot-two Orthodox striker, carrying a 75-inch reach, has built his reputation on an aggressive all-around game, landing 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate while also averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes — a combination that made him one of the most feared fighters on the roster.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's defeat to Strickland snaps his dominance at middleweight and raises questions about his long-term future in the division
- Persistent weight cut problems could force a conversation about whether Chimaev moves to light heavyweight
- White's public comments add official acknowledgment to concerns that have followed Chimaev throughout his career
Saturday, May 9, 2026
