Khamzat Chimaev’s Key Mistakes at UFC 328 Highlighted by UFC Bantamweight Legend

T.J. Dillashaw reveals how Khamzat Chimaev's weight-cutting process heavily impacted his lackluster performance at UFC 328.

Khamzat Chimaev’s Key Mistakes at UFC 328 Highlighted by UFC Bantamweight Legend

Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 (via The Sun)

In Short
  • Khamzat Chimaev lost his middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 328 after struggling with weight cut issues.
  • Strickland controlled the fight with volume and pressure, leading to a split decision victory.
  • Chimaev is seeking an immediate rematch with Strickland, despite discussions about moving up to light heavyweight.

Khamzat Chimaev entered UFC 328 as the reigning middleweight champion and a heavy -600 favorite against Sean Strickland. However, he lost his belt after failing to match Strickland’s steady five-round pace. Strickland used volume and clean jabs to control the fight and win a split decision. Former UFC champion T.J. Dillashaw recently revealed why ‘Borz’ looked unusually weak during the bout.

Chimaev began the fight with early takedowns and brief ground control over Strickland. However, ‘Tarzan’ adjusted quickly and kept most exchanges standing. From round two onward, Strickland’s jab and volume disrupted Chimaev’s rhythm. The Chechen star had some success in grappling but could not maintain control. Strickland’s steady output in the later rounds helped secure a split decision win.

In the lead-up to UFC 328, concerns grew that Chimaev struggled badly to make championship weight. At the weigh-ins, he appeared visibly drained and depleted. The UFC confirmed he hit the middleweight limit, but doubts remained about how cleanly the cut was completed. Dillashaw recently linked the extreme weight cut to Chimaev’s reduced performance at the Prudential Center during UFC 328.

A bad weight cut will ruin 12 weeks of hard work. Khamzat looked like an animal in camp; he was unbeatable. There are lots of frauds in this world, and the way they made him cut weight was horrible. Khamzat did not want to miss weight… I really believe he was on the verge of death, making that weight from the stories I’ve heard and my talking to Sam Calavitta.

TJ Dillashaw via MMA Fighting

For UFC 328, Chimaev trained at Santo Studio and The Treigning Lab under coach Sam Calavitta. The camp is known for high-intensity conditioning work for fighters. Dillashaw also trained under Calavitta during his career and credited the system for improving conditioning. He previously recommended The Treigning Lab to Umar Nurmagomedov for a potential rematch against Merab Dvalishvili.

Chimaev’s training partner, Arman Tsarukyan, revealed days before UFC 328 that the Chechen star had cut around 21 kilograms in a short period leading into the fight. However, many in the UFC community questioned that figure and expressed skepticism about its accuracy. Figures like Chael Sonnen publicly indicated they did not believe Chimaev cut that much weight leading into UFC 328.

T.J. Dillashaw’s claim about Khamzat Chimaev dominating sparring partners has been echoed in MMA circles. He suggested Chimaev’s intensity often overwhelms opponents in training. UFC contenders Khalil Rountree Jr. and Aaron Pico said sparring with ‘Borz’ felt unlike anything they had experienced. These accounts reinforce the Chechen phenom’s reputation as a dominant force despite his UFC 328 loss.

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UFC CEO talks about Khamzat Chimaev getting a rematch against Sean Strickland

Khamzat Chimaev has long expressed interest in moving up to light heavyweight after repeated struggles making middleweight. At UFC 328, he looked visibly drained by the 185-pound cut, raising concerns about his durability at the weight class. The toll of the cut became a major talking point after his loss to Sean Strickland. UFC CEO Dana White later said Chimaev himself pushed for a move to light heavyweight.

Dana White, Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev with Dana White [via MMA Mania]

Many expected Chimaev to move up to light heavyweight after UFC 328, given his struggles at middleweight. His severe weight cut and visible depletion fueled talk of a permanent shift to 205 pounds. However, Chimaev pushed for an immediate rematch, with plans tied to UFC Abu Dhabi in October 2026. White recently said the promotion is still evaluating whether the rematch will materialize.

Khamzat right now is asking for a rematch with Strickland. That’s what he wants. We don’t know what we’re gonna do yet. Strickland will fight anybody.

Dana White via The Bret Boone Podcast

Khamzat Chimaev is currently shifting focus toward his Real American Freestyle debut against Dillon Danis at RAF 10. The matchup marks a temporary departure from UFC competition as the Chechen superstar explores grappling-focused opportunities. Discussions around a potential Sean Strickland rematch and a possible move to light heavyweight remain unresolved.

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