Khamzat Chimaev's brother disclosed that Chimaev experienced severe weight cut problems before his UFC 328 fight with Sean Strickland. With 1.2 kg remaining to lose, Chimaev's body shut down and a doctor was called, though the team eventually decided to continue cutting weight. The brother believes the fight should have been cancelled due to these health concerns. After the weigh-in, Chimaev only regained 5-6 kg before the fight, which may have contributed to his poor performance. Chimaev has now requested a rematch with Strickland for October in Abu Dhabi.
Khamzat Chimaev's brother has revealed that the Borz suffered serious weight cut complications in the lead-up to his middleweight title fight against Sean Strickland at UFC 328, shedding new light on what may have been a compromised performance from the challenger.
According to the disclosure, Chimaev's body shut down when he still had 1.2 kilograms remaining to shed before the weigh-in. A doctor was called to attend to him, yet the team ultimately pressed on and completed the cut. His brother has since stated he believes the fight should have been called off entirely given the health risks involved. Making matters worse, Chimaev managed to rehydrate by only five to six kilograms before stepping into the cage, a figure widely considered insufficient recovery at the elite level.
Chimaev, 30 years old and fighting out of Allstars Training Center under UAE colors, entered the bout ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound. He carries a 15-1 record and brings elite grappling to every outing, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing significant strikes at a 60 percent accuracy rate. The loss to Strickland was just the second defeat of his professional career.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, is 35 years old and trains out of Xtreme Couture. The American holds a 31-7 record and is known for relentless volume striking, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach that allows him to operate effectively at range.
Chimaev has now requested a rematch, targeting October in Abu Dhabi.
Why it matters
- The weight cut revelations raise questions about the competitive fairness of the original contest.
- A Chimaev rematch in Abu Dhabi would be a major event for the middleweight division, with the title again on the line.
- Chimaev remains the top-ranked middleweight contender despite the defeat, keeping his claim to a second shot credible.
