A rare occurrence happened twice at UFC 328 when fighters who secured 8+ takedowns in title fights still lost their bouts. Historically, UFC fighters who land 5+ takedowns in title fights win 81.08% of the time, while those with 7+ takedowns win 83% of the time. Khamzat Chimaev and Tatsuro Taira executed 9 and 8 takedowns respectively but both suffered defeats. Taira in particular achieved nearly 11 minutes of control time with quality takedowns and full mount positions. The analysis suggests that while elite-level wrestlers maintain roughly 80% win probability, total mixed martial arts skill remains superior, as wrestling is energy-intensive and highly dependent on weight cuts, health status, and circumstances. The post argues that Chimaev showed potential as a more well-rounded striker and could benefit from developing a more comprehensive striking game rather than relying primarily on wrestling.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
