Khamzat Chimaev’s title defense against Sean Strickland was always going to be a test, but his own physique was put to the ultimate trial. On Friday, the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev made weight for their highly anticipated middleweight clash at just 173 pounds, a staggering cut of more than 45 pounds from his normal fighting weight.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight title was on the line, and Chimaev was desperate to make the cut. He had less than 20 minutes left to weigh in before he’d lose his title and miss out on a potential $1.5 million payday. The pressure was mounting, and his body would eventually pay the price.
A Familiar Path to Nowhere
Chimaev’s title defense was always going to be a test. The undefeated phenom first made a name for himself in 2019 by defeating John Phillips to win the middleweight title. Five years have passed since then, and Chimaev has remained undefeated, racking up an impressive 11-0 record.
His path to now would be very familiar to many. Chimaev’s body would have had to endure some real stress and strain to make it to the scales so lean. This is what many have said in their observations about his appearance after he made weight.
A Fancied Fighter Fights on
Sean Strickland is not known for his technical skills, but he’s got a great track record of putting up a fight. The former middleweight title challenger is a favorite among fans for his aggressive fighting style, and he’s always looking to put on a show. Chimaev has made similar promises in the buildup to their fight, saying he’s got more in the tank than ever before.
Strickland’s willingness to engage is a major asset in his corner, but Chimaev’s own body might well be the biggest factor in determining the outcome of this fight. The two men face off in the octagon on Saturday, and it’s anyone’s guess how the fight will play out.
A Fight to Remember
The question on everyone’s mind is how well Chimaev will perform at full strength come fight night. If he’s as depleted as many believe, it will be a major question mark hanging over him. If he’s able to recover and put on a show, we might just see the UFC get a real treat for the fans. Either way, the fans are in for a treat, and it’ll be a fight to remember.
