Arman Tsarukyan posted a message of support for Khamzat Chimaev following Chimaev's split decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 328. Tsarukyan stated that they fought hard and those who watched know what really happened. He encouraged Chimaev to keep his head up and predicted the champion would reclaim his belt soon. The message suggests solidarity within their training circle or team.
Lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan took to social media on May 10 to offer a public message of support to Khamzat Chimaev following Chimaev's split decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 328 the previous evening.
Tsarukyan, 29, expressed solidarity with Chimaev in the wake of the defeat, saying the fighters had worked hard and that those who watched the bout closely understood what truly happened. He urged Chimaev to keep his head up and expressed confidence that the middleweight contender would reclaim championship gold before long. The message hinted at a bond within their broader training circle or team connections.
Chimaev, fighting out of Allstars Training Center, entered UFC 328 as the number-one ranked middleweight and number-ten on the pound-for-pound ladder, carrying a 15-1-0 record. The 32-year-old from the United Arab Emirates is a relentless pressure fighter who averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands his strikes at an exceptional 60 percent accuracy rate. The split decision defeat marks only the second blemish on an otherwise dominant professional career.
Strickland, now 31-7-0, retained the middleweight title with the victory. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, is one of the most active strikers in the division, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach that allows him to operate effectively at range.
Tsarukyan himself holds a 23-3-0 record and currently sits at number one in the lightweight rankings. The Russian southpaw standout averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes and strikes at 50 percent accuracy, making him one of the more well-rounded figures in his own division.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's loss reshuffles the middleweight title picture and raises questions about who challenges Strickland next
- At 15-1-0 and ranked number one, Chimaev remains a leading contender despite the defeat
- Tsarukyan's public support underscores cross-divisional relationships that can shape team dynamics and future fight camps
Saturday, May 9, 2026
