Post-UFC 328 analysis suggests Khamzat Chimaev may have originally prepared for a light heavyweight debut before plans changed last minute. This theory, proposed by Vlad Matveev, attempts to explain Chimaev's cardio lasting only one round despite working with top sports scientists. Chimaev's friendly demeanor toward Strickland during the fight contrasted poorly with his inability to dominate after talking trash during the buildup. The comparison was drawn to Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira being like "Moreno vs Figueiredo for Gen Z" with expectations they'll fight again for the title. Alexander Volkov benefited from another close decision in his favor, his second straight after the controversial Ciryl Gane bout. The analysis questions whether Chimaev's preparation truly reflected the caliber of his team.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
