UFC 328 sees rare occurrence: Two title fighters lose despite 8+ takedowns

At UFC 328, a rare statistical anomaly occurred twice when fighters who secured 8 or more takedowns in title bouts lost their fights. Historically, UFC fighters who land 5 or more takedowns in title fights win 81.08% of the time, while those with 7 or more takedowns win 83% of the time. Khamzat Chimaev landed 9 takedowns and Tatsuro Taira landed 8 takedowns with nearly 11 minutes of control time, yet both were defeated. The results demonstrate that even elite-level wrestling does not guarantee victory, emphasizing the importance of well-rounded skills. The outcomes highlight how factors like weight cut, injuries, and opponent quality can dramatically shift a wrestler's chances despite strong grappling performance.