Hamzat Chimaev's brother revealed that Chimaev experienced serious complications during his weight cut for UFC 328, with his body shutting down when he had 1.2 kg remaining to lose. Medical staff were called in, but the decision was made to continue cutting weight despite concerns the fight should have been canceled. According to his brother, the weight cut severely impacted Chimaev's performance in the fight, as his body never fully recovered. Chimaev has now requested a rematch with Sean Strickland, proposing it take place in Abu Dhabi this October.
Hamzat Chimaev's team has revealed that the Russian-Swedish contender suffered a severe medical episode during his weight cut ahead of UFC 328 on May 9, and has since called for a rematch against middleweight champion Sean Strickland, with Abu Dhabi in October floated as a potential setting.
Chimaev's brother disclosed that the fighter's body effectively shut down when he still had 1.2 kilograms left to shed before the bout. Medical staff were summoned, but the decision was made to press on with the cut rather than withdraw from the fight. According to his brother, Chimaev never fully recovered physically before stepping into the cage, and the camp believes the weight cut directly compromised his performance on fight night.
On the other side of that bout stood Sean Strickland, who retained his middleweight title and now carries a 31-7-0 record. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, is one of the most active strikers in the division, averaging 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute at 42 percent accuracy. Standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, the orthodox fighter has proven a difficult puzzle for any opponent who enters the octagon at less than full strength.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's team is framing his UFC 328 loss as performance-related due to the weight cut, not a clear statement of Strickland's superiority, which sets the stage for a rematch narrative.
- A proposed Abu Dhabi date in October would align with the UFC's history of high-profile events in the region, where Chimaev has previously enjoyed strong crowd support.
- The middleweight title picture hinges on how the UFC responds to the rematch request, as other contenders in the division may feel they have stronger claims to the next shot at Strickland.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
