Khalil Rountree: Khamzat Chimaev's UFC 328 loss 'hard to watch'

Khalil Rountree didn't recognize the Khamzat Chimaev who fought at UFC 328.

Chimaev (15-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) lost his middleweight title to Sean Strickland (31-7 MMA, 18-7 UFC) by split decision in Saturday's main event at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Chimaev was able to take Strickland down and control him in Round 1 but visibly slowed down in Round 2 as he even pulled guard.

Rountree, who was a key training partner in Chimaev's camp, couldn't fathom what was happening.

"I would say that this was very hard to watch because I wasn't watching the Khamzat that I know," Rountree said on the JAXXON Podcast. "It was hard for me to count every round and really analyze the fight because I was so shocked. Like, 'What's wrong with Khamzat?' The first round was great. The second round things took a big turn.

"Then Round 3, in my opinion, after that round was done, I remember checking off my mind and give that round to Khamzat; I'm biased. Round 4, I was like, 'OK, cool, we're up three (rounds) going into five and then five, I blurred. So, all to say, I think that he did enough to win the fight. I think (Rounds) 1, 3 and 4. I don't really remember watching No. 5. I think if a rematch happens, it looks completely different."

Chimaev caught a second wind in Round 3, but it was the final round that was the deciding factor. The scorecards were tied heading into Round 5, which two judges awarded to Strickland.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Khamzat Chimaev training partner 'so shocked' by UFC 328 loss