Arthur, Khamzat Chimaev's brother, provided detailed information about the problematic weight cut for UFC 328 in an interview. He revealed that when 1.2 kg remained to be cut, Chimaev's body shut down due to oxygen deprivation and they had to stop for an hour before continuing. Chimaev weighed 105 kg when the fight was announced in March, as he had expected to fight Jiri Prochazka at light heavyweight, then was asked to fight Strickland at middleweight instead. Two weeks before the fight, Chimaev weighed 97 kg, and after weigh-ins he only managed to rehydrate 5-6 kg before the bout. The team has requested a rematch with Strickland for October in Abu Dhabi.
Khamzat Chimaev's brother Arthur has spoken in detail about the severe weight cut the Swedish-Emirati fighter endured ahead of UFC 328 on May 9, revealing that the process pushed Chimaev's body to a dangerous limit and left him entering the cage severely under-recovered.
Arthur explained that the weight cut was complicated from the start by a late change in opponent and division. When the fight was announced in March, Chimaev weighed 105 kg, having prepared to face Jiri Prochazka at light heavyweight. He was then redirected to a middleweight contest against Sean Strickland, giving him a far more demanding cut. Two weeks out, he was still at 97 kg. When only 1.2 kg remained to be shed, his body shut down due to oxygen deprivation and the team was forced to halt the cut for an hour before resuming. After making weight, Chimaev managed to rehydrate only five to six kilograms before the opening bell.
Strickland, known as "Tarzan," is the reigning middleweight champion at 35 years old with a record of 31 wins and 7 losses. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture is a high-volume striker, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute across his career.
Chimaev, 32, entered as the number-one ranked middleweight and number-ten pound-for-pound fighter, carrying a record of 15 wins and 1 loss. The "Borz" is one of the most efficient wrestlers in the division, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes with a striking accuracy of 60 percent. Fighting at a significant weight disadvantage, the physical toll of the cut appears to have been a major factor in how the contest unfolded.
Why it matters
- Chimaev reportedly competed well below his natural weight, raising questions about the fairness of the contest
- His team has formally requested a rematch against Strickland, targeting October in Abu Dhabi
- A rematch would carry enormous divisional stakes, with the middleweight title and the number-one contender slot both on the line
- The original plan to fight Prochazka at light heavyweight, where Chimaev held a natural weight advantage, may resurface as a future option
Saturday, May 9, 2026
