An analyst suggests Khamzat Chimaev may have been preparing for a light heavyweight debut before plans changed last-minute, which could explain his cardio lasting only one round despite working with top sports science professionals. The analyst draws parallels between Van and Taira to the Moreno-Figueiredo rivalry for a younger generation, predicting future title fights. Alexander Volkov continues to benefit from controversial decisions, with two close fights ruled in his favor consecutively. Strickland apologized for going too far in promoting the fight, but Chimaev's friendly demeanor despite the insults damaged his aura, especially since he couldn't dominate in the cage. The theory about the weight class change offers a potential explanation for the surprising conditioning issues.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
