The sudden shift in Khamzat Chimaev's training focus may explain his shocking performance at UFC 328. Fans and analysts alike are trying to understand why the undefeated Chechen fighter looked so out of sorts during his title bout against Sean Strickland. Chimaev's camp initially suggested weight-cutting difficulties, but his coach now points to an unexpected twist in the fight planning. Murad Bichuev told Red Corner MMA that Chimaev was preparing to fight Jiri Prochazka at 205 pounds, not the eventual middleweight title clash at 185.
This change in direction threw the team off track. Instead of shedding weight for the fight, the team began bulking up, building muscle with the idea of competing at the higher weight class. The UFC's decision to book the Strickland matchup cut their training timeline short, leaving Bichuev and his team scrambling. “We were mostly focused on his physique,” he explained. “He was gaining muscle, gaining weight more than he had before.”
Timeline and preparation
The preparation schedule started to fall apart. The Prochazka vs. Ulberg matchup for the vacant 205-pound title was revealed on February 28th, giving Chimaev's team over two months to train for a light heavyweight fight. But on March 27th, the UFC announced Chimaev would instead face Strickland at middleweight. That left the team with less than three weeks to drop the weight. Bichuev said this was a complete shock. “We were mostly focusing on his physique,” he said. “He started gaining muscle, gaining weight more than before.”
Chimaev, however, has shown no signs of backing down. He's been reaching out to his manager repeatedly, pushing hard for a rematch. But given how the fight went, many fans are not on board with another meeting between Chimaev and Strickland. The idea of a second “Borz” vs. “Tarzan” fight has already drawn a lot of eye-rolling and skepticism online.
The future remains unclear. According to Bichuev, Chimaev is working closely with his manager, sending messages constantly since his loss at UFC 328. Whether the rematch happens or Chimaev moves in a different direction, one thing is certain: the UFC's decision to change the weight class at the last minute has sparked a conversation about fighter preparation and responsibility.