Following UFC 328, an analyst raised questions about Khamzat Chimaev's fight preparation and in-cage demeanor. Strickland later apologized for going too far during fight promotion, but the damage to Chimaev's aura appears significant, especially given Chimaev's friendly behavior despite the pre-fight trash talk. One theory suggests Chimaev was preparing for a light heavyweight debut that was changed last minute, which could explain his cardio lasting only one round despite working with top sports science professionals. In the co-main event, Joshua Van and Kai Asakura were compared to the Moreno-Figueiredo rivalry for a younger generation, with predictions they will fight for the title in the future. Alexander Volkov continues to benefit from what some see as a controversial decision in his fight against Cyril Gane, with another close fight scored in his favor.
Following UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, an analyst publicly questioned Khamzat Chimaev's fight preparation and in-cage conduct after Chimaev fell to Sean Strickland, raising doubts about the Chechen-born contender's readiness heading into the bout.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, improved to 31 wins and 7 losses with the victory. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, is one of the division's most active strikers, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute. He later issued an apology for going too far during the pre-fight promotional period, though observers noted the psychological campaign appeared to have had a measurable effect on his opponent.
Questions surrounding Chimaev center on a theory that he had been preparing for a light heavyweight debut before a last-minute change redirected him back to middleweight. Analysts point to his cardio visibly fading after just one round as a potential indicator, particularly striking given that Chimaev is known to work alongside elite sports science professionals.
In the co-main event, flyweight champion Joshua Van put his title on the line against Kai Asakura in a bout drawing comparisons to the Moreno-Figueiredo rivalry for a new generation of fans. Van, just 24 years old and holding a 17-2-0 record, is among the most accurate strikers in the division, landing 56 percent of his significant strikes at a remarkable rate of 8.84 per minute. Commentary around the fight suggested the two could meet again with championship stakes on the line.
Meanwhile, heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov extended his winning streak with another judges' decision over Cyril Gane, though the outcome continues to draw scrutiny. Volkov, ranked first in the heavyweight division at 37 years old, carries a 40-11-0 record and boasts a 57 percent striking accuracy across his career. Critics argue he has now benefited from two close scorecards against Gane, keeping the debate around both fighters very much alive.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's loss and the preparation questions surrounding it significantly dent his previously untouchable reputation in the middleweight division
- Van's performance deepens the narrative around a potential generational flyweight rivalry with Asakura
- Volkov's disputed decisions against Gane leave the heavyweight title picture unsettled heading into the next cycle of contenders
Saturday, May 9, 2026
