UFC 328 sees rare occurrence of fighters losing title bouts despite 8+ takedowns

UFC 328 featured a rare statistical anomaly occurring twice in one night, as both Khamzat Chimaev and Tatsuro Taira lost their title fights despite completing eight and nine takedowns respectively. Historically, UFC fighters who complete five or more takedowns in title fights win 81% of the time, and those with seven or more win 83% of the time. Taira particularly controlled his opponent for nearly 11 minutes with solid takedowns and full guard positions, yet was still finished. The analysis suggests that while elite wrestling remains highly effective with an 80% win rate, total mixed martial arts versatility is becoming increasingly important as wrestling is energy-intensive and can be compromised by weight cuts, injuries, or other physical factors.