Arman Tsarukyan expressed visible frustration following Khamzat Chimaev's split decision loss at UFC 328. Chimaev lost his middleweight title to Sean Strickland, marking his first defeat in 16 MMA fights.
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Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Arman Tsarukyan appeared more frustrated than Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 328.
Tsarukyan was in the opposite corner as Sean Strickland pulled off a major upset on Saturday night. Chimaev lost his middleweight title via split decision, according to the judges at UFC 328.
Arman Tsarukyan was in the corner when the scorecards were read at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The Russian talent looked frustrated after losing for the first time in his 16-fight MMA career.
After hearing the judgesâ verdict, Chimaev didnât take long to accept it. He congratulated Sean Strickland and moved on quickly.
But Tsarukyan didnât react as well. After the decision, he dropped to the floor and stayed down while Strickland celebrated becoming a two-time UFC middleweight champion.
Soon after, cameras caught him embracing Chimaev and offering some words of encouragement following a tough night.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
After speaking with Khamzat Chimaev following the fight, Dana White dismissed any talk of a rematch. Whiteâs claim about Chimaevâs future was countered when Arman Tsarukyan reacted to UFC 328.
âI think he had a rough weight cut,â the UFC CEO told the media after the UFC 328 main event.
âHe literally walked up to me after the fight and said, âI wanna move up. I donât want to fight at this weight class anymore.ââ
However, Arman Tsarukyan seemed to offer a different perspective on Chimaevâs intentions, responding on Instagram by backing his teammate:
âWe fought our hearts out tonight, and everyone watching knows what really happened,â Chimaevâs teammate wrote on Instagram. âHead up, Champ. You will get your belt back soon.â
Khamzat Chimaev lost his middleweight title by split decision to Sean Strickland at UFC 328.
Arman Tsarukyan appeared visibly frustrated after Khamzat Chimaev's loss, showing strong emotions in the corner.
UFC 328 took place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
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Chimaev appeared to have rethought a move to light-heavyweight when he broke his silence. â@SStricklandMMA see you soon again,â he tweeted.
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