At UFC 328, a rare occurrence happened twice as both Khamzat Chimaev and Tatsuro Taira lost their title fights despite landing 8+ takedowns each. Historically, UFC fighters who land 5+ takedowns in title fights win 81.08% of the time, and those with 7+ takedowns win 83% of the time. Chimaev landed 9 takedowns and Taira landed 8 with nearly 11 minutes of control time, yet both were defeated. The analysis suggests this demonstrates that while elite wrestling provides an 80% win probability, total versatility remains superior. Wrestling is highly energy-intensive and vulnerable to factors like weight cuts, injuries, and health issues. The post argues that Chimaev has potential as a more well-rounded fighter if he develops his striking further, noting his solid jab and knockout power.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
