Dustin Poirier declares Khamzat Chimaev’s aura ‘took a hit’ after flat UFC 328 performance
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 09: (R-L) Khamzat Chimaev of Russia grapples with Sean Strickland in the UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 328 event at Prudential Center on May 09, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) The aura of invincibility surrounding Khamzat Chimaev has been shattered, according to legendary former lightweight fighter Dustin Poirier. Chimaev suffered the first loss of his career at UFC 328, losing a razor close split decision to Sean Strickland that cost the Chechen his middleweight belt.
There’s been a lot of excuses as to why this happened. Some point to a botched weight cut, others point to over-training. Whatever the case, Poirier believes Khamzat is going to have a hard time when he eventually returns to competition because people now know he’s human.
“The problem for Khamzat, he likes to be that guy that can intimidate you,” Poirier said on the UFC’s Deep Waters podcast. “And the fact that Sean wasn’t intimidated? I think he fought Sean’s fight.
” Dustin Poirier on Khamzat Chimaev after #UFC328 : "The next fight, whoever he gets matched up with, it's going to be tough for him to intimidate because his aura took a hit this week. " pic. twitter.
com/HI2S24dY0B — UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) May 11, 2026 Not only was Chimaev unable to impose his fighting style on Strickland, he also let the mask slip and show how all the lead-up to UFC 328 was basically fake and for attention. That’s not something people will forget. “Whoever he gets matched up with next, it’s going to be tough for [Chimaev] to intimidate because his aura took a hit,” Poirer continued.