TJ Dillashaw revealed details of Khamzat Chimaev's weight cut before his fight with Sean Strickland, learned from nutritionist Sam Calavitta. Chimaev drank only one-quarter of the required water, vomited green bile, and came close to death during the cut. The situation was complicated by Chimaev having only half a thyroid gland, which slows his metabolism. Chimaev's team hired a different person to handle the final phase of the cut instead of following Calavitta's protocol, and Chimaev reportedly offered Strickland one million dollars to cancel the fight before ultimately making weight.
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has shed light on a harrowing weight cut endured by Khamzat Chimaev ahead of his middleweight bout with Sean Strickland, with details reportedly passed on by nutritionist Sam Calavitta.
According to Dillashaw, Chimaev consumed only a quarter of the water he needed during the cut, began vomiting green bile, and came dangerously close to death before eventually making weight. A significant complicating factor was that Chimaev has only half a thyroid gland, a condition that slows metabolism and makes extreme weight manipulation considerably more hazardous. Calavitta's protocol was ultimately bypassed when Chimaev's team brought in a different person to manage the final phase of the cut. Dillashaw also revealed that Chimaev reportedly offered Strickland one million dollars to cancel the fight before the bout ultimately proceeded.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," carries a 15-1 record and sits at number one in the middleweight division at 32 years old. Representing the United Arab Emirates out of Allstars Training Center, the six-foot-two fighter holds a 75-inch reach and has built his reputation on relentless grappling, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 60 percent.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, is 31-7 at 35 years old. The American fights out of Xtreme Couture and stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, averaging an aggressive 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute at 42 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- The severity of the cut raises serious questions about fighter safety protocols at the highest level of the sport
- Chimaev's thyroid condition adds a medical dimension that may prompt scrutiny from athletic commissions
- As the number-one middleweight contender, Chimaev's health and preparation are directly relevant to the division's title picture
- The reported offer to Strickland to cancel suggests the situation inside the camp was considered critical even by those involved
