A rare statistical anomaly occurred twice at UFC 328 when fighters who secured 8 or more takedowns lost their title fights. Historically, UFC fighters who land 5+ takedowns in title bouts win 81.08% of the time, while those with 7+ takedowns win 83% of the time. Khamzat Chimaev and Taisuya Taiyo landed 9 and 8 takedowns respectively but both lost. Taiyo particularly had quality takedowns with nearly 11 minutes of control time but was still finished. The analysis suggests that while elite wrestlers maintain 80% win rates, total mixed martial arts skills are superior, as wrestling is energy-intensive and vulnerable to various factors like weight cuts, injuries, and opponent striking skills.
Two fighters walked out of UFC 328 having dominated their title bouts on the ground — and still lost. The rare double occurrence of that statistical anomaly took place on May 9, when both Khamzat Chimaev and Taisuya Taiyo secured eight or more takedowns in their respective championship fights and came away with defeats.
Chimaev, the No. 1-ranked middleweight and No. 10 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, entered UFC 328 with a 15-1 record and arguably the most imposing wrestling-based skillset in the division. The 32-year-old from the United Arab Emirates, training out of Allstars Training Center, averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career with a striking accuracy of 60 percent — elite numbers by any measure. He landed 9 takedowns in his title bout and still could not secure the victory.
Taisuya Taiyo mirrored that futility on the same card, recording 8 takedowns and amassing nearly 11 minutes of control time, yet was ultimately finished before the final bell.
Why it matters
- Historically, UFC fighters who land five or more takedowns in title bouts win 81 percent of the time, and those reaching seven or more win at an 83 percent clip, making two losses in the same event a genuine statistical rarity.
- Both outcomes suggest that raw wrestling volume, even at elite levels, can be neutralized when a champion possesses the striking power, submission awareness, or championship conditioning to survive sustained grappling pressure.
- Wrestling is an energy-intensive discipline, and factors such as weight cuts, accumulated damage, and opponent striking can erode its effectiveness even when the numbers look dominant on the scorecard.
- The results reinforce the broader principle that total mixed martial arts skill sets ultimately outweigh single-discipline dominance, even in the sport's highest-stakes bouts.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
