UFC 328 aftermath: Chimaev to abandon middleweight division after title loss
Dana White confirms fighter's request to move up to light heavyweight following comments on the difficulty of the weight cut
Khamzat Chimaev has confirmed his intention to leave the 185-pound middleweight division following his first career defeat at UFC 328. The decision comes after the former welterweight lost the middleweight title to Sean Strickland via split decision, a result that marked the end of his undefeated run since the Fight Island era began.
Speaking to UFC CEO Dana White in the Octagon immediately after the bout, Chimaev explicitly stated that he does not wish to compete at his current weight again. White relayed the fighter's request during the post-fight press conference, noting that the 32-year-old simply told him he wanted to move up to light heavyweight for his next engagement.
White offered a candid assessment of the fighter's physical condition leading into the contest, suggesting the outcome may have been influenced by the demands of the weight cut. The UFC chief observed that Chimaev underwent one of the roughest weight cuts of the week, appearing to struggle significantly on the scale despite officially making the 185-pound limit.
The CEO revealed that his own scorecard had the fight tied 2-2 going into the final round, indicating he believed Strickland won the decisive period. White suggested that Chimaev's apparent struggle with the weight cut may have suppressed his usual stand-up striking, which he had previously touted as a major asset. He noted that the fighter had not gone toe-to-toe with an opponent in a while due to the physical toll of the preparation.
While the move to light heavyweight is confirmed by Chimaev's own request, no specific opponent has been announced for the divisional change. The official timeline for when the fighter will officially make the transition remains unknown as the UFC processes the request following the closely contested affair.
Strickland's victory makes him only the second two-time champion in the history of the UFC middleweight division. The bout was a stark contrast to Chimaev's previous dominance, with the former champion failing to secure a unanimous or split decision victory in his first loss.
