Vadim Tikhomirov conducted an interview with Saeed, Khamzat Chimaev's older brother, who explained that Khamzat's poor performance against Strickland was due to a brutal weight cut. When the bout was announced in March, Khamzat weighed 105 kg, expecting to fight Prochazka at light heavyweight. Two weeks before UFC 328, he was still at 97 kg before cutting to middleweight. His body shut down when 1.2 kg remained to be lost, requiring a one-hour interruption before completing the cut. After weigh-ins, Chimaev only regained 5-6 kg before fight time. Chimaev's team has requested a rematch with Strickland at middleweight in October in Abu Dhabi.
Khamzat Chimaev's older brother has revealed the grueling weight-cut ordeal that he says explains Chimaev's subpar showing against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9.
In an interview with journalist Vadim Tikhomirov, Saeed Chimaev described a chaotic buildup to the middleweight title fight. When the bout was originally announced in March, Khamzat was walking around at 105 kg, having been preparing to meet Jiri Prochazka at light heavyweight. Even with just two weeks remaining before fight night, he had only trimmed down to 97 kg, still well above the 185-pound limit. His body reportedly gave out when 1.2 kg remained to be shed, forcing a one-hour pause mid-cut before he could complete the process. Once through the scales, Chimaev managed to rehydrate by only 5 to 6 kg before stepping into the cage.
Chimaev, 32, entered the contest ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound, carrying a 15-1 record and one of the most impressive takedown rates in the sport at 5.29 per fifteen minutes. The UAE-based fighter out of Allstars Training Center was widely regarded as among the most dangerous challengers Strickland had faced.
Strickland, fighting out of Xtreme Couture, retained his middleweight title to improve to 31-7. The 35-year-old American is a high-volume striker, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute, and has proven difficult to finish throughout his championship run.
Why it matters
- The account raises serious questions about Chimaev's weight management and long-term future at middleweight
- Chimaev's team has formally requested a rematch in October in Abu Dhabi, which would put the title picture at 185 pounds on hold
- Prochazka, ranked second at light heavyweight with a 32-6-1 record, may find his own path to a bout with Chimaev complicated if Borz pursues a second middleweight title shot instead
Saturday, May 9, 2026
