Khamzat Chimaev appeared significantly weakened during the UFC 328 weigh-ins, leading to widespread fan concern about his readiness for his middleweight title defense against Sean Strickland.
Chimaev, set to defend his middleweight championship against former titleholder Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 on Saturday, seemed to have undergone an extremely arduous weight cut. The rivalry between the two fighters has been intense, marked by constant verbal exchanges and personal attacks leading up to the event. This tension was evident at the pre-fight press conference, where heated insults were exchanged, culminating in Chimaev physically reacting by kicking Strickland during their faceoff.
However, the aggression seen earlier was absent at the official UFC 328 weigh-ins on Friday. Chimaev, who was the last to step on the scale, successfully made the 185-pound limit for his title defense. Despite making weight, he appeared severely depleted, struggling to conceal the effects of a grueling weight cut.
Arman Tsarukyan, who has been involved in Chimaev’s training camp, later disclosed the severity of the weight cut, stating that Chimaev had to lose approximately 45 pounds during fight week to reach the middleweight limit.
Fans Express Alarm Over Khamzat Chimaev’s Drained State at UFC 328 Weigh-Ins
Khamzat Chimaev’s appearance at the UFC 328 weigh-ins quickly gained traction on social media, with fans expressing significant worry over how unusually drained he looked on the scale and as he left the stage, appearing utterly listless.
His concerning demeanor immediately raised questions among fans about the potential impact of the severe weight cut on his performance. Some even speculated that he might suffer his first professional defeat on fight night.
Khamzat Chimaev boasts an undefeated 9-0 record in the UFC, with notable wins against Robert Whittaker, Kamaru Usman, and Gilbert Burns. His most recent bout was at UFC 319 in August 2025, where he claimed the middleweight title by defeating Dricus Du Plessis via unanimous decision.
