Analysis following UFC 328 suggests Khamzat Chimaev may have been preparing for a light heavyweight debut before plans changed last minute, potentially explaining his conditioning issues. Despite working with top-level sports science professionals, Chimaev's cardio appeared to last only one round. Sean Strickland apologized for going too far in promoting the fight, but observers note the damage to Chimaev's aura remains, particularly given his friendly demeanor during the bout despite the pre-fight animosity. The Van versus Taira fight is being compared to the Moreno-Figueiredo rivalry for a new generation, with expectations of future title fights between them. Alexander Volkov received another favorable decision in a close fight, his second in a row.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
