Khamzat Chimaev looks drained after shedding over 45 pounds for Sean Strickland fight

Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images Khamzat Chimaev’s first middleweight title defence is now set. Five years before beating Dricus du Plessis to claim the 185-pound belt, Chimaev was already turning heads after joining the UFC. ‘Borz’ made an immediate impression by taking fights in two different weight classes just ten days apart.

Chimaev’s welterweight chapter ended a while back, and after stepping on the scales this Friday, his time at middleweight might be heading the same way. Chimaev cuts it fine at UFC 328 weigh-ins before Strickland title defence Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC Khamzat Chimaev kicked off the UFC 328 festivities by clashing with Sean Strickland at the press conference, and followed that up by weighing in on Friday. Strickland had weighed in early and then waited around for Chimaev, who didn’t step on the scales until there were just 20 minutes left in the window.

Arman Tsarukyan, who’s backing up for the upcoming lightweight title fight, recently said that Chimaev had to cut over 46 pounds (21 kg) to make weight. Adam Zubayraev filmed Chimaev’s last full training session before May 9, giving fans a look at how he was shaping up. “He’s in very good shape,” Tsarukyan said in the video.

“The weight is going well too. Yes, of course, tomorrow won’t be easy. Tomorrow is the weight cut, he cuts a lot of weight.