Joe Rogan has offered an explanation for Khamzat Chimaev's disappointing performance in his loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 328. According to Rogan, the issue may have stemmed from Chimaev's attempt to bulk up for an expected light heavyweight title fight against Jiří Procházka, only to then cut back down to middleweight. This weight manipulation could have significantly impacted his conditioning and overall performance. Chimaev's sparring partner Khalil Rountree had previously confirmed rumors of the potential Procházka matchup in interviews before the Strickland fight. The sudden change in opponents and weight targets appears to have caught Chimaev off guard.
Joe Rogan has put forward an explanation for Khamzat Chimaev's subdued showing in his middleweight loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9, suggesting a chaotic weight-cutting situation may have been the root cause of the performance.
According to Rogan, Chimaev had reportedly been bulking up in anticipation of a light heavyweight title fight against Jiří Procházka, only for those plans to fall through and force him to cut back down to middleweight on short notice. Rogan suggested that kind of dramatic weight manipulation would have taken a significant toll on Chimaev's conditioning heading into the bout.
Chimaev, 32, entered UFC 328 carrying a 15-1-0 record and ranked first in the middleweight division, with a pound-for-pound ranking of tenth. Fighting out of Allstars Training Center under the UAE flag, "Borz" had built his reputation on relentless pressure, an extraordinary takedown rate of 5.29 per 15 minutes, and a striking accuracy of 60 percent — numbers that made him one of the most complete fighters in the sport. A performance that fell short of that standard was always going to invite scrutiny.
The man who handed him the loss, Sean Strickland, is the reigning middleweight champion. The 35-year-old American out of Xtreme Couture carries a 31-7-0 record and is known for his high-output striking, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach and a relentless forward pace that rarely lets opponents settle.
Adding credibility to Rogan's account, Chimaev's sparring partner Khalil Rountree Jr. — himself a ranked light heavyweight at number seven with a 15-7-0 record — had previously confirmed in interviews that a Procházka matchup was being discussed prior to the Strickland fight.
Why it matters
- The explanation raises questions about matchmaking and preparation timelines leading into UFC 328
- Chimaev's number-one middleweight ranking and pound-for-pound status make the nature of the loss a significant talking point
- Rountree's corroboration lends weight to the account of a disrupted camp
Saturday, May 9, 2026
