Said Chimaev, Khamzat's older brother, gave an interview explaining his brother's subpar performance against Strickland was due to a brutal weight cut. When the fight was announced in March, Khamzat weighed 105 kg as he expected to fight Prochazka at light heavyweight. Two weeks before UFC 328, he still weighed 97 kg. When Chimaev had 1.2 kg left to lose, his body shut down, and he was given an hour break before making weight. After weigh-ins, Chimaev only regained 5-6 kg before the fight. Chimaev's team has reportedly requested a rematch with Strickland at middleweight in October in Abu Dhabi.
Said Chimaev, older brother of Khamzat, has spoken publicly about what he believes cost "Borz" at UFC 328 on May 9, pointing to a catastrophic weight cut as the primary reason for his brother's underwhelming showing against Sean Strickland.
According to Said, the situation was complicated from the start. When the Strickland fight was announced in March, Khamzat was walking around at 105 kg, having originally prepared for a light heavyweight bout against Jiri Prochazka. Even two weeks out from fight night, he still tipped the scales at 97 kg. The cut took a severe physical toll: with just 1.2 kg remaining to shed, Chimaev's body gave out entirely and he was granted an hour-long break before eventually making weight. He then rehydrated by only 5 to 6 kg before stepping into the cage — a fraction of what fighters typically recover.
Khamzat Chimaev, now 15-1, entered the contest ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. The 32-year-old, who trains out of Allstars Training Center and represents the United Arab Emirates, is one of the most physically dominant fighters in the sport, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing strikes at a 60 percent accuracy rate. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, his grappling-heavy style has overwhelmed most opponents.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, is 31-7 at 35 years old. The American out of Xtreme Couture stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and is renowned for his volume striking, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's team has reportedly requested a rematch at middleweight in October in Abu Dhabi, meaning the division's top storyline is far from over
- The weight cut explanation raises questions about Chimaev's long-term future at 185 pounds given how far above the limit he was campaigning
- A healthy Chimaev versus Strickland would pit the champion's elite output striking against the top contender's elite grappling and finishing ability
Saturday, May 9, 2026
