A rare statistical anomaly occurred twice at UFC 328, as both Khamzat Chimaev and Tatsuro Taira lost their title fights despite landing 8+ takedowns each. Historically, UFC fighters who achieve 5+ takedowns in title fights win 81% of the time, and those landing 7+ win 83% of the time. Chimaev landed 9 takedowns while Taira secured 8 with nearly 11 minutes of control time, yet both were defeated. The analysis suggests this demonstrates the importance of complete well-roundedness over pure wrestling dominance, as wrestling is extremely energy-dependent and vulnerable to factors like weight cuts, injuries, and opponent skill. The post argues that Chimaev has the physical tools to become more striking-focused, including size, jab power, knockout ability, and explosive speed.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
