Former two-time UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw has provided a stark account of Khamzat Chimaev’s challenging weight cut leading up to his middleweight title fight against Sean Strickland at UFC 328.
Chimaev lost his middleweight title to Strickland via split decision. Following the fight, it was revealed that Chimaev had to shed a significant amount of weight in the final day before the event. While he managed the initial portion of the cut, the final pounds proved to be an arduous ordeal, with reports suggesting Chimaev was reluctant to continue.
Dillashaw, speaking in an interview, shared that Chimaev was experiencing extreme distress during the weight cut. He elaborated on the difficulties, stating that Chimaev was “puking up green bile” and was in such a critical state that he was considering forfeiting the fight and offering Strickland a substantial sum of money to avoid making the weight. Dillashaw attributed these severe issues to a failure in managing the final stages of the weight cut, suggesting that the team and nutritionist did not handle it appropriately. He emphasized Chimaev’s underlying health condition, noting that he has half a thyroid, which makes managing his metabolism particularly sensitive and risky if not done correctly.
Despite the harrowing weight cut, Dillashaw believes Chimaev still performed well enough to potentially win the fight, suggesting he was “robbed” of a victory. He posited that this perceived injustice is a reason why Strickland might be hesitant to agree to a rematch.
Dillashaw concluded by emphasizing the critical need for Chimaev to have proper guidance and a more professional approach to his weight cuts, particularly concerning hydration management. He also expressed a desire for Chimaev to regain the middleweight title before considering a move to the light heavyweight division.
Khamzat Chimaev’s Horrifying Weight Cut Details Unveiled by T.J. Dillashaw
T.J. Dillashaw, a former UFC bantamweight champion, has shed light on the severe difficulties Khamzat Chimaev faced during his weight cut for the UFC 328 middleweight title bout against Sean Strickland. According to Dillashaw, Chimaev’s cut was so “horrifying” that he was “almost dying” and even considered paying Strickland a million dollars to avoid making the 185-pound limit.
Dillashaw recounted that Chimaev had to lose a significant amount of weight in the final day before the weigh-ins. While the initial phase of the weight cut went smoothly, the final pounds proved to be a brutal struggle. Dillashaw alleged that Chimaev’s team and nutritionist mishandled the critical final stages of the weight cut. He described witnessing Chimaev in distress, “puking up green bile” and in such a weakened state that he should not have been allowed to compete. Dillashaw expressed concern for Chimaev’s health, highlighting that the fighter’s partial thyroid condition makes his metabolism particularly vulnerable, and improper weight management could have had dire consequences.
Despite the extreme physical toll, Dillashaw asserted that Chimaev still displayed superior conditioning during the fight and believed he was unjustly defeated. Dillashaw suggested that Chimaev’s underperformance was a direct result of the grueling weight cut, and that Strickland’s reluctance for a rematch stems from this fact.
Ultimately, Dillashaw stressed the importance of professional guidance and a more meticulous approach to Chimaev’s weight cuts, emphasizing the need for proper hydration strategies. He also voiced his hope that Chimaev will reclaim the middleweight championship before contemplating a move to light heavyweight.
English Translation:
Former UFC Champion Details Khamzat Chimaev’s Horrifying Weight Cut
Former two-time UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw has revealed further details about the brutal and horrifying nature of Khamzat Chimaev’s weight cut prior to his fight with Sean Strickland.
Chimaev lost his middleweight title to Strickland earlier this month in the main event of UFC 328 via split decision. Following the loss, Chimaev’s team and close associates disclosed that “Borz” had to shed nearly 14 pounds on the final day. While Chimaev initially lost the first 9 pounds relatively easily, the subsequent 4 pounds to make the 185-pound limit proved to be a nightmare, with fellow fighter Arman Tsarukyan suggesting that “Borz” was reluctant to continue the process.
T.J. Dillashaw, in an interview with MMA Fighting, stated that Khamzat Chimaev was unwilling to make weight for UFC 328 and was prepared to offer Sean Strickland $1 million. Dillashaw placed blame on Chimaev’s nutritionist and team, claiming they failed to manage the final stages of the weight cut effectively. He explained:
“I introduced him [Khamzat Chimaev] to Calavitta, and Sam Calavitta is the best in the business. You can say whatever you want about it, what he does that people don’t do, he’s so smart, and the amount of work that he puts into a camp is insane. Like everything, the way you’re recovering, the supplements you’re taking, the minerals you’re missing in your body from blood work, hair samples, what your hormone levels are doing, like everything. [If] you want to reach that peak performance. He’s the guy to go with. And then, unfortunately, they had trusted someone else to do some of his nutrition and weight cut towards the end, and it just ruined it all.”
“I saw him sitting in the bathtub to cut weight. It was like, Sam wouldn’t have him sitting in the bathtub to cut weight. … And then to hear the story of what actually was happening to him and him puking up green bile and just all the like crazy sh*t. He should not have made it to the fight… How tough Khamzat is to do as well as he did on almost dying before getting on that scale. Like I’m saying, almost dying, like scary stories.”
T.J. Dillashaw further added:
“He wanted to give Strickland $1 million and say, ‘Hey, take it. I can’t make it, I’m going to die.’ And you forget this guy’s got half a thyroid, right? His metabolism is half of a normal man. And so if you’re not treating it the right way, you could kill him. And I really believe he was on the verge of death making that weight cut.”
During the same interview, the 40-year-old also opined that, in his view, “Borz” did enough to win at UFC 328 but was “robbed.” Dillashaw believes this is why Sean Strickland is reluctant to accept a rematch with Chimaev.
“I thought he won at least three rounds with the fourth round even being close. It was not a robbery… I’ve said that multiple times. It was a close fight due to Khamzat’s underperformance – massive underperformance. And that’s why Sean doesn’t want to fight him again.”
Despite the brutal weight cut and the health issues Khamzat Chimaev experienced before the fight, Dillashaw felt that “Borz” still appeared to be the fighter with better cardio.
He suggested that Khamzat Chimaev requires proper guidance, a significantly more professional weight-cutting process, and appropriate water management during shedding. Lastly, Dillashaw stated that he wants Chimaev to reclaim the middleweight title before even considering a move up to the UFC light heavyweight division.
