Post-fight analysis suggests Khamzat Chimaev may have originally been preparing for a light heavyweight debut before plans changed to face Sean Strickland at UFC 328. The theory, proposed by analyst Vlad Matveev, attempts to explain Chimaev's surprising cardio issues despite working with top-level sports science professionals. The post notes that Chimaev himself laid under Strickland as early as the second round and showed familiar patterns from his fight with Usman—dominant first-round wrestling followed by cardio decline. Additionally, the analysis compared Joshua Van versus Taira to "Moreno versus Figueiredo for zoomers," predicting they will eventually fight for the title. Alexander Volkov also received mention for benefiting from favorable judging in consecutive close decisions.
Post-event analysis circulating after UFC 328 has raised an intriguing theory about Khamzat Chimaev's performance against Sean Strickland: that "Borz" may have originally been training to debut at light heavyweight before plans shifted back to middleweight for the bout on May 9.
The theory, put forward by analyst Vlad Matveev, centers on Chimaev's noticeable cardio decline despite his access to elite sports science support. Matveev points to a pattern already visible in the Kamaru Usman fight — dominant first-round wrestling that faded as the rounds progressed — and notes that Chimaev himself ended up under Strickland as early as the second round. The suggestion is that a weight-class change in preparation could help explain the unexpected conditioning issues.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, is 35 years old and holds a 31-7-0 record. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture carries a six-foot-one frame and a 76-inch reach, landing over six significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy.
The post-fight breakdown also touched on flyweight champion Joshua Van's performance, comparing the 24-year-old Myanmar fighter's rivalry with Tatsuro Taira to "Moreno versus Figueiredo for a new generation," with the analyst predicting the two will eventually collide for title gold. Van, now 17-2-0, is one of the sport's most accurate strikers, connecting on 56 percent of his significant attempts and averaging an eye-catching 8.84 significant strikes per minute.
Heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov, ranked first in his division at 40-11-0, was also highlighted in the analysis. The Russian standout, six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, was noted as a beneficiary of favorable judging across consecutive close decisions.
Why it matters
- If Chimaev genuinely shifted weight-class camps mid-preparation, it reframes his cardio issues as logistical rather than physical decline
- Van's continued dominance at flyweight keeps the division's title picture tightly focused on a potential rematch with Taira
- Volkov's judging fortunes at heavyweight carry rankings implications as he sits atop the divisional ladder at number one
Saturday, May 9, 2026
