Joe Rogan offered an explanation for Khamzat Chimaev's disappointing performance in his loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 328. Rogan suggested that Chimaev's preparation may have been compromised because he had been bulking up expecting to fight Jiri Prochazka for the light heavyweight title instead. This weight management issue could have significantly impacted his conditioning and performance in the middleweight bout. Chimaev's sparring partner Khalil Rountree had previously confirmed in interviews that Chimaev was preparing for a potential Prochazka fight at light heavyweight. The explanation provides context for why Chimaev appeared to fade as the fight progressed against Strickland.
Joe Rogan has weighed in on Khamzat Chimaev's underwhelming showing against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9, pointing to a weight management issue as a likely explanation for why Chimaev faded as the fight wore on.
Rogan suggested that Chimaev had been bulking up in preparation for a potential light heavyweight title fight against Jiri Prochazka rather than maintaining his middleweight frame. When the Prochazka matchup did not materialize and Chimaev instead met Strickland at 185 pounds, the conditioning deficit that came with carrying extra mass may have cost him dearly. That explanation is supported by comments from light heavyweight contender Khalil Rountree Jr., who had previously confirmed in interviews that he and Chimaev were working together with a Prochazka fight in mind. Rountree, who holds a 15-7-0 record and sits seventh in the light heavyweight rankings at 36 years old, trains alongside Chimaev and would have direct knowledge of the camp's direction.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, improved to 31-7-0 with the victory. The 35-year-old American out of Xtreme Couture is known for relentless volume, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach, and opponents who slow down late in bouts tend to absorb heavy punishment over championship rounds.
Prochazka, the number-two ranked light heavyweight at 32-6-1, is six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach and averages 5.69 significant strikes per minute himself. A fight with Chimaev at 205 pounds would have represented a significant step up in size, helping explain why Chimaev's team had him carrying more weight heading into the spring.
Why it matters
- It offers a concrete reason for Chimaev's conditioning decline late in the Strickland fight
- Chimaev's divisional future at middleweight or light heavyweight now appears genuinely unsettled
- Strickland's championship reign looks more secure with a win over one of the division's most hyped challengers
Saturday, May 9, 2026
