Khamzat Chimaev's brother revealed Chimaev experienced serious weight cut issues before UFC 328, with his body shutting down when 1.2 kg remained. A doctor was called, but they decided to continue cutting weight despite concerns the fight should have been canceled. Chimaev successfully made weight but his brother believes the damage was done. According to the report, Chimaev has now requested a rematch with Sean Strickland for an October event in Abu Dhabi. The weight cut complications may have significantly impacted Chimaev's performance in the fight.
Khamzat Chimaev's corner reportedly endured a harrowing weight cut ahead of UFC 328 on May 9, and his brother has since gone public with details of what went wrong — while also revealing that Chimaev has requested a rematch with middleweight champion Sean Strickland at an October event in Abu Dhabi.
According to the account shared by Chimaev's brother, Chimaev's body effectively shut down when he still had 1.2 kilograms remaining to cut. A doctor was called to assess the situation, and despite concerns serious enough that canceling the fight was discussed, the team pressed on. Chimaev made weight, but his brother believes the ordeal caused meaningful damage that carried into the fight itself.
Chimaev, 30 years old — correction, 32 years old — enters this chapter at 15-1-0, ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound. The UAE-based fighter out of Allstars Training Center is one of the more physically dominant wrestlers in the sport, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and attempting 1.8 submissions per 15 minutes. He connects on 60 percent of his significant strikes, one of the higher accuracy marks in the division.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, carries a 31-7-0 record and fights out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. The 35-year-old American is relentlessly active on the feet, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach that helps him maintain range. He has held the title and defended his position at the top of the division through volume and durability.
Why it matters
- A rematch would again pit the division's top-ranked contender directly against the champion, keeping the middleweight title picture clear.
- If the weight cut genuinely compromised Chimaev's performance at UFC 328, that context shapes how a second fight would be evaluated.
- Abu Dhabi has hosted major UFC events before, and a card there in October would align with Chimaev's strong regional fanbase in the UAE.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
