UFC 328 witnessed an unusual statistical anomaly when two fighters who secured 8+ takedowns in title fights both lost their bouts. Historically, fighters completing 5+ takedowns in UFC title fights win 81.08% of the time, while those with 7+ takedowns win 83% of the time. Khamzat Chimaev landed 9 takedowns while Tatsuro Taira secured 8, yet both were defeated. Taira particularly dominated control time with nearly 11 minutes but was still finished. The outcomes highlight that elite-level wrestling alone no longer guarantees victory against well-rounded opponents, especially when factors like weight cutting, injuries, or opponent versatility come into play. The analysis suggests that total mixed martial arts skill has become more important than wrestling dominance alone.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
