Khamzat Chimaev’s weigh-in for his upcoming UFC title defense has become a focal point of significant doubt within the mixed martial arts community.
Chimaev is scheduled to defend his middleweight championship against former titleholder Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328. The event is set to take place this weekend at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
On Friday morning, both fighters successfully made the 185-pound middleweight limit during the official UFC 328 weigh-ins. While Strickland achieved the weight with apparent ease, Chimaev was the last fighter from the card to step onto the scale. Despite making the championship weight, the undefeated fighter appeared visibly depleted and emotionally exhausted throughout the weigh-in process.
Following the weigh-ins, fellow fighter Arman Tsarukyan revealed that Chimaev underwent an exceptionally challenging weight cut in preparation for UFC 328. Tsarukyan stated that “Borz” was reportedly forced to shed an astonishing 45 pounds during fight week to meet the middleweight requirement.
A significant controversy has since erupted online, with numerous fans and fighters questioning the integrity of Khamzat Chimaev’s weigh-in. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that the New Jersey State Athletic Commission official announced Chimaev’s weight of 185 pounds while the scale still appeared to be in motion.
UFC Fighters Voice Doubts About Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC 328 Weigh-In
Featherweight contender Bryce Mitchell was among the first to publicly challenge Chimaev’s UFC 328 weigh-in on social media, asserting that the reigning middleweight champion did not genuinely make the 185-pound limit. Mitchell went further, suggesting that influential figures were determined to see Sean Strickland lose and allegedly overlooked what he perceived as a clear weight miss.
“I know what it looks like when somebody makes that weight,” Mitchell stated. “They have to stand completely still. The little thingumabob on the scale, it has to balance. That dude didn’t make that weight. There’s no convincing me, bro… It’s all bullsh*t. Khamzat gets special treatment… he didn’t make that weight and I think Sean’s champ already.”
During the UFC 328 ceremonial weigh-ins, Strickland used his microphone time to criticize Chimaev, also accusing his opponent of never legitimately making weight for their championship bout.
“I’ll be fu*king quick, you guys: This fu*king coward tried to fu*king kick me in the nuts like a fu*king p*ssy!” Strickland exclaimed. “You’re a fu*king punch b*tch! This fu*king b*tch didn’t even make weight, you cheating fu*k! Fu*k you, you son of a whore! B*tch!”
Veteran UFC fighter Dustin Poirier also commented on the controversy during his appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show. Poirier questioned whether Khamzat Chimaev had truly made weight, noting that the scale appeared to be moving when the official announced 185 pounds.
“As soon as he steps on the scale, they say 185, it didn’t even have time to balance,” Poirier observed. “This is a hang scale. You have to let it balance to see if the guy is on.”
In addition to the fighters, several prominent MMA analysts and personalities, including MMA Guru and The Weasle, have expressed skepticism regarding Khamzat Chimaev’s weigh-in, with many claiming the scale never fully settled before the official result was declared.