Post-fight analysis suggests Khamzat Chimaev may have been preparing for a light heavyweight debut before plans changed last minute, according to a theory from Vlad Matveev. The analyst points to Chimaev's cardio lasting only one round despite working with top sports science professionals as evidence something was amiss with his preparation. Sean Strickland apologized for going too far in promoting the fight, but the damage to Chimaev's aura remains, especially given Chimaev's friendly behavior toward Strickland during the bout despite the pre-fight insults. The post also notes that Asu Almabayev and Tatsuro Taira's rivalry resembles the Moreno-Figueiredo series for a younger generation, and that Alexander Volkov continues to benefit from close decisions following his controversial fight with Ciryl Gane.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
