UFC 328 sees rare double occurrence of 8+ takedown losses in title fights

UFC 328 witnessed an unusual statistical anomaly as both Khamzat Chimaev and Tatsuro Taira completed eight and nine takedowns respectively in their title fights but still lost. Historically, fighters who complete five or more takedowns in UFC title fights win 81% of the time, with that number rising to 83% for seven or more takedowns. Taira particularly dominated positionally with nearly 11 minutes of control time and quality takedowns with full guard passes, yet was still finished by Joshua Van. The analysis suggests that while elite-level wrestling provides an 80% win probability, total mixed martial arts versatility remains superior, as wrestling is highly energy-intensive and vulnerable to factors like poor weight cuts, injuries, and opponent's defensive skills. The post argues that Chimaev's future success may depend on developing a more well-rounded striking game rather than relying primarily on his wrestling.