What the hell happened to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328? That’s the question many fans have been asking since the Chechen’s anemic performance against Sean Strickland that resulted in him losing his middleweight title.
Following the bout there was a lot of vague comments from Khamzat’s camp about weight issues and problems with the cut. But as a professional combat sports athlete, you’re responsible for staying in shape and making sure you can make the designated weight. Now, however, we’re getting confirmation
from Chimaev’s coach that “Borz” may have a better excuse for mucking up the weight: the UFC switched weight classes on him at the last minute.
“Ahead of his last fight, the weight cut was an issue because he was initially set to face Prochazka at 205,” Murad Bichuev told Red Corner MMA. “So we were mostly focusing on his physique. He started gaining muscle, he was gaining weight more than before. And then they said ‘No, we’re leaving this option aside, you have to face Strickland at 185.'”
“That’s why we didn’t have much time and we faced more problems than we had expected. Since that fight, he’s been constantly texting his manager. He wants that rematch.”
UFC 327 on April 11th featured Jiri Prochazka fighting for the vacant light heavyweight title against Carlos Ulberg. There had been rumors that Khamzat Chimaev was in the running for that fight, but the UFC instead booked him to defend the 185 pound belt against Sean Strickland on May 9th.
Prochazka vs. Ulberg was officially revealed on February 28th, giving Team Chimaev over two months notice to prepare for a middleweight title defense. Normally that’d be enough, but throw in the idea that Chimaev was bulking in preparation for a light heavyweight title defense and you start to think maybe the UFC bears some responsibility for Khamzat’s horrific weight cut.
Chimaev has been pushing hard for a rematch but there seems to be serious fan fatigue surrounding the idea of having to watch the “Tarzan” and “Borz” show again. What do you think of the possibility, Maniacs? Let us know in the comments below.
