Khamzat Chimaev's brother disclosed that Chimaev experienced serious weight cut problems before his UFC 328 fight. With 1.2 kg remaining, Chimaev's body began shutting down and a doctor was called. Despite the health concerns, the decision was made to continue cutting weight and he eventually made it. According to his brother, the fight should have been cancelled given the circumstances. Chimaev has requested a rematch with Sean Strickland in the fall at an Abu Dhabi event. The revelation provides context for Chimaev's performance in the loss.
Khamzat Chimaev's preparation for UFC 328 was far more harrowing than anyone outside his camp knew at the time, with his brother revealing days after the May 9 bout that the Chechen-Swedish contender suffered a severe physical crisis during the weight cut.
According to the disclosure, Chimaev still had 1.2 kilograms to shed when his body began shutting down, forcing the camp to call in a doctor. Despite the alarming situation, the decision was made to push through rather than withdraw, and Chimaev ultimately made weight. His brother suggested the fight should have been called off given the health risk involved, framing the revelation as important context for understanding Chimaev's performance in the loss.
Chimaev, 32, entered UFC 328 as the number-one ranked middleweight and the tenth-ranked pound-for-pound fighter on the roster, carrying a 15-1 record built on some of the most dominant grappling numbers in the division. He averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 60 percent of his significant strikes, a remarkable accuracy figure that reflects how cleanly he operates when fully functional. Fighting out of Allstars Training Center and representing the United Arab Emirates, he had long been viewed as the most credible threat to the middleweight throne.
That throne belongs to Sean Strickland, who retained his championship at UFC 328. The 35-year-old American, training out of Xtreme Couture, holds a 31-7 record and has built his reputation on relentless output, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute. His six-foot-one frame and 76-inch reach have made him a difficult puzzle for every middleweight he has faced.
Chimaev has already requested a rematch, with his camp eyeing a fall event in Abu Dhabi.
Why it matters
- The weight cut disclosure adds significant context to Chimaev's performance in a high-profile title-fight loss
- A potential rematch in Abu Dhabi would have major divisional implications, given Chimaev's number-one ranking
- The health episode raises broader questions about weight cutting protocols and fighter safety at the championship level
Saturday, May 9, 2026
