At UFC 328, an unusual statistical anomaly occurred twice in championship bouts. Both Khamzat Chimaev and Tatsuro Taira lost their title fights despite recording 8+ takedowns each—Chimaev with 9 and Taira with 8. Historically, fighters who land 5+ takedowns in UFC title fights win 81.08% of the time, while those with 7+ takedowns win 83% of the time. Taira's case was particularly notable as he secured quality takedowns with full ground control totaling nearly 11 minutes, yet was still dominated and finished by Joshua Van. The post analyzes how even elite wrestlers face limitations, with factors like weight cuts, health issues, and opponent versatility significantly impacting outcomes. It suggests Chimaev should develop a more well-rounded striking game to complement his wrestling, noting he has the tools—jab, knockout power, and reach—to become more dangerous at middleweight.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
