Analyst suggests Chimaev may have been preparing for light heavyweight debut

An MMA analyst theorized that Khamzat Chimaev may have been preparing for a light heavyweight debut before plans changed at the last moment. The analyst found it difficult to believe that Chimaev's conditioning, prepared under top-level sports science professionals, would result in cardio lasting only one round. The piece also compared the Van-Taira fight to the Moreno-Figueiredo rivalry for a younger generation, predicting future championship encounters between them. Additionally, the analyst noted that Alexander Volkov continues to benefit from controversial decisions, with his second consecutive close fight being scored in his favor. The theory about Chimaev's preparation seeks to explain his surprising cardio issues against Sean Strickland.