Following UFC 328, analyst Vlad Matveev theorized that Hamzat Chimaev may have been preparing for a light heavyweight debut before plans changed last minute, which could explain his cardio issues lasting only one round. The theory suggests Chimaev was working with top-level sports science professionals, making it unlikely their preparation would result in such limited endurance. Sean Strickland apologized for going too far in promoting the fight, though the damage to Chimaev's aura from the friendly pre-fight interactions remains. The Van versus Taira fight is being compared to Moreno versus Figueiredo as a rivalry for the younger generation. Alexander Volkov benefited from another close decision going his way, his second consecutive controversial victory.
Following UFC 328 on May 9, analyst Vlad Matveev has put forward an unconfirmed theory suggesting Hamzat Chimaev may have been training for a light heavyweight debut before plans shifted at the last minute — a change that, if true, could help explain the cardio problems Chimaev displayed in lasting only a single round.
Matveev's reasoning centers on the quality of Chimaev's support team. The analyst argues that top-level sports science professionals would be unlikely to produce such limited endurance if the fighter were properly prepared for his actual weight class, making a late divisional change a plausible explanation. The theory remains unconfirmed, and no official statement has addressed it.
Sean Strickland, the middleweight champion at 31 wins and seven losses, also surfaced in the post-event discussion. The 35-year-old American out of Xtreme Couture acknowledged going too far in his promotion of the fight, with reports noting he apologized for the approach. Analysts have suggested the friendly pre-fight atmosphere between Strickland and Chimaev may have dented Chimaev's intimidating aura regardless of the outcome.
Elsewhere, the flyweight title picture drew positive attention. Joshua Van, the 24-year-old champion from Myanmar carrying a 17-2-0 record, was part of a matchup against Taira that commentators are already comparing to the early Moreno-Figueiredo rivalry — a potential multi-fight series that could define the flyweight division for a new generation. Van's striking output of 8.84 significant strikes per minute and a 56 percent accuracy rate make him a compelling centerpiece for any such rivalry.
At heavyweight, Alexander Volkov improved to 40-11-0 with what observers described as another close and disputed decision, his second consecutive controversial victory. The 37-year-old Russian, ranked first in the division at six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, continues to find himself on the right side of tight judging calls.
Why it matters
- A confirmed late weight-class change for Chimaev would reframe the narrative around his performance and future trajectory
- Strickland's promotional approach has drawn scrutiny and may influence how future title fights are built around him
- Van versus Taira gaining rivalry-level momentum adds long-term intrigue to a flyweight division already rich with contenders
- Volkov's back-to-back close decisions keep the heavyweight title picture unsettled heading into the next cycle
Saturday, May 9, 2026
