Former two-time UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw has shed more light on the severe and distressing nature of Khamzat Chimaev’s weight cut prior to his bout with Sean Strickland.
Chimaev lost his middleweight title to Strickland earlier this month at UFC 328 via split decision. Following the loss, associates and close friends of the Chechen-born Emirati fighter disclosed that Chimaev was forced to shed nearly 14 pounds on the final day. While Chimaev managed the initial 9 pounds with relative ease, losing the final 4 pounds to make the 185-pound limit proved to be an ordeal. According to Arman Tsarukyan, Chimaev expressed a desire to cease the weight-cutting process.
T.J. Dillashaw Reveals Khamzat Chimaev Was ‘Almost Dying’ Before UFC 328 Weigh-Ins
In an interview with MMA Fighting, T.J. Dillashaw stated that Khamzat Chimaev was reluctant to make the weight for UFC 328 and was prepared to offer Sean Strickland $1 million. Dillashaw attributed the difficulties to Chimaev’s nutritionist and team, asserting they mishandled the concluding stages of the weight cut. He elaborated:
“I introduced him [Khamzat Chimaev] to Sam Calavitta, who is the best in the business. You can say whatever you want about his methods, but he’s incredibly intelligent, and the dedication he puts into a camp is immense. He meticulously manages recovery, supplements, and addresses any deficiencies identified through blood work, hair samples, and hormone level analysis to achieve peak performance. Unfortunately, they entrusted someone else with his nutrition and weight cut towards the end, and it completely undermined the process.”
“I witnessed him in the bathtub trying to cut weight. Sam wouldn’t have him doing that. Hearing the accounts of what he endured, vomiting green bile and going through all sorts of extreme measures, it’s astonishing he even made it to the scale. His toughness in performing as he did, having almost died before weighing in, is remarkable. I’m reiterating, the stories are truly alarming.”
T.J. Dillashaw further commented:
“He was willing to pay Strickland a million dollars, saying, ‘Take it, I can’t make weight, I’m going to die.’ And let’s not forget, this man is missing half his thyroid, which significantly impacts his metabolism compared to an average person. If not managed correctly, it could be fatal. I genuinely believe he was on the brink of death during that weight cut.”
During the same interview, Dillashaw expressed his belief that “Borz” had done enough to win at UFC 328 and was “robbed.” He suggests this is why Sean Strickland is hesitant to agree to a rematch with Chimaev.
“I felt he won at least three rounds, with the fourth round also being close. It wasn’t a robbery. I’ve stated this multiple times. It was a close fight, largely due to Khamzat’s underperformance – a significant underperformance. And that’s precisely why Sean doesn’t want to fight him again.”
Despite the arduous weight cut and health complications preceding the fight, Dillashaw maintained that Chimaev appeared to be the fighter with superior cardio.
He suggested that Khamzat Chimaev requires proper guidance, a more professional approach to weight cutting, and meticulous fluid management during shedding periods. Dillashaw concluded by stating his preference for Chimaev to reclaim the middleweight title before considering a move to the UFC light heavyweight division.
