Khamzat Chimaev suffered his first professional loss at UFC 328, where he challenged Sean Strickland for the middleweight championship. In a split decision, Strickland emerged victorious after five rounds at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on May 9, 2026. The judges’ scores were 48-47 twice in favor of Strickland and 47-48 for Chimaev.
Chimaev initially dominated the first round with effective takedowns and control from the back. However, Strickland managed to defend against submissions and repeatedly stood up. By the second round, Chimaev’s pace visibly slowed. He struggled with chain wrestling, pulled guard after a missed takedown attempt, and found himself on the bottom, where Strickland landed ground-and-pound.
The remainder of the fight largely took place on the feet, with Strickland utilizing his jab and defensive “Philly Shell” style to outmaneuver Chimaev in terms of volume. While Chimaev landed some powerful shots, his output decreased. Persistent rumors about a difficult weight cut ahead of the bout contributed to discussions about his performance decline.
Firas Zahabi Extends Training Offer to Khamzat Chimaev Post-UFC 328 Defeat
In the days following the fight, Firas Zahabi, the esteemed coach at Tristar Gym in Montreal, publicly extended an offer to train Chimaev. Zahabi is widely recognized for his role in guiding Georges St-Pierre to multiple UFC championships and currently coaches fighters like Aiemann Zahabi, who holds a respectable 8-2 record in the UFC.
Additionally, Zahabi coaches emerging talents at Tristar, including welterweights Georges Eid and Amir Fazli. He also extended an invitation to top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, known for his wrestling and close-range striking. Tsarukyan and Chimaev have had prior connections through shared training interests.
Zahabi expressed his commitment to improving Chimaev’s performance, stating:
“Khamzat, come train with me. Come to Montreal. I promise you you’re not going to fade. I promise you. Bring Arman Tsaruykan. Come see how we prepare to make sure your fitness level will be better than ever, your striking will be sweeter than ever, and your footwork will be sweeter than ever. If you come train with me, this will never happen again… We will focus on you getting your hand raised.”
Chimaev’s camp has previously faced scrutiny regarding his cardio. He managed to win third rounds in past fights against Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman, despite noticeable signs of fatigue. His career has also been marked by numerous injuries and illnesses, with reports of five or six surgeries.
Zahabi has been a public admirer of Chimaev for years, even calling him the greatest middleweight ever in 2025 after a title victory and drawing comparisons to Khabib Nurmagomedov. This offer arrives at a critical juncture for Chimaev, who has now lost his undefeated record. A potential move to Tristar Gym could provide the foundation for him to rebuild and pursue another title run.
Sean Strickland now holds the middleweight belt for the second time, having defeated Chimaev as the betting underdog. The MMA community is now awaiting Chimaev’s response to Zahabi’s proposal. A training stint in Montreal might prove instrumental in addressing the five-round endurance issues that contributed to his recent loss.