UFC CEO Dana White has weighed in on speculation that Khamzat Chimaev did not actually make weight for UFC 328, calling it a case of the internet being ‘f–king stupid.’
Chimaev was last on the scale during the official weigh-ins on Friday morning in New Jersey, and the Chechen fighter looked drained and wobbly as he walked onto the stage. Then the controversy: moments after “Borz” stepped on the mechanical beam scale, the commission worker called out 185 pounds. Those watching noticed that the beam didn’t
even have time to settle before the weight was announced and Chimaev stepped off the scale.
It wasn’t just conspiracy theorists on the internet claiming something was suspicious. Challenger Sean Strickland also called Chimaev out, claiming Khamzat was also heavy on the backstage scale.
“We had a guy from my camp watching him on the check scale when he stepped on,” Strickland said at the UFC 328 post-fight presser. “His whole camp said ‘F–k!’ and they dragged him up because he was running out of time. He 1000% missed weight.”
Dana White was having none of it when he spoke to the media after the event.
“You know the New Jersey State Athletic Commission oversees the weigh-ins, right?” he asked. “Jeremy Stephens missed weight by four pounds and they had to cut a deal, but for Khamzat they’re just going to let him not make weight? Jersey and New York are two of the toughest commissions in the country. The internet is f–king stupid, I don’t know what to tell you other than that.”
Asked why the commission still uses the old-style mechanical beam scale instead of a digital one, White shrugged.
“I don’t know,” he replied. “Listen, Monday morning at 9:02, call the New Jersey Athletic Commission and ask them that. I have nothing to do with any of that stuff.”
This isn’t the first time it’s been suggested that a popular champ has gotten a little help making weight from a pliant commission leading up to a big fight. For years, people have accused Khabib Nurmagomedov of missing weight for his final fight against Justin Gaethje as well.
As for why the New Jersey commission would do this? Even without the UFC asking for special treatment, it could be a sign of regulatory capture. They make a lot of money when the UFC comes to town, and they want the UFC to continue coming to town, especially for big fights. Is it crazy to suggest a commissioner gave the main event a quarter pound allowance to keep things rolling smoothly?
Whether Chimaev made weight or not, his weigh-in was not handled properly because the bar never stopped moving. That’s a fact. Those stupid internet people that think they witnessed some cheating? They can take some solace in knowing Khamzat’s massive weight cut did indeed end up costing him his title in the end. Sean Strickland would edge his drained opponent on the scorecards, taking the middleweight title via split decision.
