UFC 328 sees rare losses for fighters landing 8+ takedowns in title fights

UFC 328 witnessed a rare statistical anomaly when two fighters who landed 8 or more takedowns in championship bouts both lost their fights. Historically, fighters who complete 5+ takedowns in UFC title fights win 81.08% of the time, while those landing 7+ takedowns win 83% of the time. Khamzat Chimaev landed 9 takedowns and Kai Asakura landed 8 takedowns with nearly 11 minutes of control time, yet both were defeated. The analysis suggests that while elite-level wrestling still provides an 80% win probability, total mixed martial arts skills prove superior, as wrestling is highly energy-intensive and vulnerable to weight cut issues, injuries, and other health factors. The post notes that against high-level striker-generalists, a wrestler's advantages can quickly diminish if any physical condition is compromised. The author suggests Chimaev should develop more well-rounded striking to complement his wrestling and reduce energy expenditure.