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Khamzat Chimaev lost to Sean Strickland at UFC 328, raising questions about his weight cut. Joe Rogan suggested that an aborted division change may have impacted Chimaev's performance.
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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 08: Khamzat Chimaev of Russia is interviewed by Joe Rogan during the UFC 328 ceremonial weigh-in at Prudential Center on May 08, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)
Khamzat Chimaev lost for the first time at UFC 328, and the theories as to what went wrong are already flying.
The immediate answer to Chimaevâs problems was the always befuddling Sean Strickland, who pulled off the second massive title fight upset of his career to once again become champion Saturday in Newark, N.J. Strickland won a split decision in a bout comprised primarily on the feet due to Stricklandâs grappling defense and an odd strategy employed by Chimaev that may have been influenced by a difficult weight cut.
Chimaev looked unhappy on the scale at the official weigh-ins and itâs possible comfortably making the championship weight of 185 pounds may have taken a greater toll on him than usual. The cageside commentary team of Daniel Cormier, Joe Rogan, and Jon Anik speculated on the situation immediately after the fight.
âDoes Khamzat want to fight at 185?â Cormier said. âThey said he already has his eyes on 205. I donât know.â
Chimaev has made it no secret he would like to move up to the light heavyweight division, not only for the chance to win a title in a second weight class, but to greatly reduce the stress he puts on his body making the middleweight cut. He has also competed as a welterweight and famously missed the 170-pound by 7.5 pounds for UFC 279 in September 2022, a gaffe that spoiled a Chimaev vs. Nate Diaz fight and caused the last three matchups of the event to be shuffled.
In this instance, Chimaev could possibly have already been bulking up to fight at 205 pounds, but had to shed a significant amount of that when the Strickland fight was booked.
âGood question, because it could have been a factor,â Rogan told Cormier. âThe fact that he did try to bulk up plus thinking that he was going to fight Jiri Prochazka for 205.â
Khamzat Chimaev lost by split decision to Sean Strickland at UFC 328.
Joe Rogan suggested that an aborted division change could have affected Chimaev's ability to comfortably make weight, impacting his performance.
Sean Strickland won the fight, reclaiming the title with a split decision victory.
Chimaev appeared unhappy on the scale, indicating that making the championship weight of 185 pounds may have been particularly challenging for him.
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Chimaev released a statement following the loss, but made no mention of any weight-cut issues. UFC CEO Dana White says Chimaev has told him he no longer wants to fight at middleweight, but Chimaevâs social media statement seemingly teased the possibility of a Strickland rematch.
Anik doesnât expect a second go-around to have nearly the same amount of vitriol as the UFC 328 main eventâprobably because Strickland has already admitted much of the feud was a charade to sell the fightâand that might be good for Chimaev if he hopes to avenge his lone loss.
âOne thing we know for sure is that the buildup to the rematch would be entirely different and there would be less emotional expenditure outside of Khamzat Chimaev, but we donât know what type of factor that played,â Anik said.
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Wild. Josh Hokitâs has now set his sights on Paulo Costa and UFC CEO Dana White canât believe the stupidity.
Takes. Arman Tsarukyan seems to think his buddy Chimaev was robbed, while Dricus du Plessis jokes that based on MMA Math he should be champion again.
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Got Milk? Joshua Van hopes Alexandre Pantoja loads up on the calcium if they fight again.
On to the Next One. The Best Friends Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee book Sean Stricklandâs next title defense in his second championship reign and try to figure out where Khamzat Chimaev goes from here.
UFC 328 post-fight show.
UFC 328 Watch Party. Relive the magic!
UFC 328 post-fight scrums.
UFC 328 reactions.
Heâll be back.
Looming.
Go off, king.
Close fight.
Presented without context.
Sending all the love to Grant Dawson and his family.
Six months sprawl trainingâŠ
Adriano Moraes (21-6) vs. Phumi Nkuta (11-0); Rousey vs. Carano, May 16
Cody Garbrandt (15-7) vs. Adrian Yanez (17-6-1); UFC 329, July 11
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