UFC 328 featured an unusual occurrence that happened twice on the same card: fighters who executed 8 or more takedowns in title fights still lost their bouts. Historically, UFC fighters landing 5+ takedowns in championship fights have won 81% of the time, and those with 7+ have an 83% success rate. Both Khamzat Chimaev and Tatsuro Taira recorded 9 and 8 takedowns respectively but were defeated. Taira's takedowns were particularly effective, with full ground control lasting nearly 11 minutes. The analysis suggests that while elite-level wrestlers maintain strong win probabilities, total versatility in striking and grappling is increasingly important, as wrestling is highly energy-intensive and can be compromised by weight cuts, injuries, or other factors.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
