Chimaev and Taira both lose title fights despite landing 8+ takedowns at UFC 328

A rare statistical anomaly occurred at UFC 328 when both Khamzat Chimaev and Tatsuro Taira lost their title fights despite securing 9 and 8 takedowns respectively. Historically, fighters who land 5+ takedowns in UFC title fights win 81.08% of the time, and those with 7+ takedowns win 83% of the time. The analysis suggests that while elite wrestling remains highly effective, total mixed martial arts versatility is superior. Wrestling is energy-intensive and heavily dependent on health, weight management, and other circumstances that can drastically shift win probabilities. The post notes that Chimaev showed strong potential as a more well-rounded fighter and suggests he needs better striking coaching and a more comprehensive game plan.