Shaky Khamzat Allegedly Cut 46 Pounds For UFC 328

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 08: Khamzat Chimaev of Russia poses on the scale during the UFC 328 ceremonial weigh-in at Prudential Center on May 08, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)

Khamzat Chimaev is less than 24 hours away from facing off with Sean Strickland at UFC 328, yet he may have already won his toughest battle.

You wouldn’t expect a former Welterweight to have a difficult cut to 185 pounds, but it’s no secret “Borz” looked a bit shaky at the scale on Friday. There’s also a bit of controversy about his weigh-in itself, as there’s speculation that Chimaev didn’t actually make weight, as the commission was quick to grant him the 185-pound weight. Chimaev has put on a lot of weight since his days at Welterweight, likely in anticipation of a 205-pound or Heavyweight move.

Video of Khamzat Chimaev leaving the weigh-ins room back to his hotel.

He looked rough. pic.twitter.com/BSlbRK8jT1

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 8, 2026

Chimaev hasn’t looked that rough on weigh-in day since he missed weight in his scrapped bout versus Nate Diaz.

Ahead of the weight cut, Khamzat’s friend and training partner Arman Tsarukyan revealed some shocking numbers. Per the top-ranked Lightweight contender, Khamzat cut roughly 21 kilograms or 46 pounds to make the Middleweight limit — that’s more than Paulo Costa in his 185-pound heyday!

Arman Tsarukyan says Khamzat Chimaev is cutting 21kg (46lbs) for UFC 328

“21kg is a big number”

via @AdamZubayraevpic.twitter.com/3JvQaIW8BS

— Dovy (@DovySimuMMA) May 8, 2026

“He cuts a lot of weight,” Tsarukyan admitted. “It’s not easy for anyone, even if you’re cutting three kilograms. Khamzat is cutting almost 21 kilograms this time. 21 kilograms is a big number.”

Why such a drastic cut? There are rumors that Khamzat was supposed to go up to 205-pounds and fight for the vacant belt right up until Strickland’s stunning victory over Anthony Hernandez (watch here), which changed the plan. Instead of bulking up, Chimaev would suddenly have to switch paths to losing weight.

Regardless of that gossip and Tsarukyan’s 21 kg figure, “Borz” clearly cut a serious amount of water here. Strickland surely intends to test his gas tank late in their five-round fight, and a bad cut could severely affect Chimaev’s ability to compete as fatigue sets in.

Continue reading...