Chimaev nearly lost consciousness during weight cut, gained only 5-6 kg before fight

Arthur, Hamzat Chimaev's brother, revealed extensive details about the problematic weight cut in an interview with Vadim Tikhomirov. When 1.2 kg remained to cut, Chimaev's body shut down due to oxygen deprivation and the process was paused for an hour. Chimaev weighed 97 kg two weeks before the fight and 105 kg in mid-March, as he was preparing for Jiri Prochazka at light heavyweight before accepting the middleweight bout with Strickland. After weigh-ins, Chimaev only rehydrated 5-6 kg before the fight, significantly less than typical. The team has formally requested a rematch with Strickland for October in Abu Dhabi.