Chimaev's Coach Reveals 205-Pound Switch Before UFC 328

Khamzat Chimaev was bulking for a heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight title fight before the UFC redirected him to defend the middleweight belt against Sean Strickland, his coach has revealed.

Murad Bichuev told Red Corner MMA that Chimaev had been preparing to face Jiri Prochazka at 205 pounds when the promotion changed course. "Ahead of his last fight, the weight cut was an issue because he was initially set to face Prochazka at 205," Bichuev said, per MMA Mania. "So we were mostly focusing on his physique. He started gaining muscle, he was gaining weight more than before. And then they said 'No, we're leaving this option aside, you have to face Strickland at 185.'"

What The Late Switch Meant For Chimaev's Preparation

The Prochazka bout never materialized. UFC 327 on April 11 instead featured Prochazka fighting Carlos Ulberg for the vacant heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight title, while Chimaev defended at 185 pounds against Strickland on May 9. The official announcement came February 28, leaving Team Chimaev over two months to adjust — but Bichuev said the damage was done. "That's why we didn't have much time and we faced more problems than we had expected," he said. "Since that fight, he's been constantly texting his manager. He wants that rematch."

Chimaev lost the middleweight title in a flat performance that raised questions about his conditioning. His camp has cited weight-cut complications in the aftermath, though fans have questioned why a professional fighter would struggle with a division he previously competed in. The revelation that he was adding muscle for a light heavyweight run offers a different explanation for the issues that plagued him at UFC 328.

Strickland regained the title after the bout. Chimaev is reportedly pushing for a rematch, though fan appetite for a second meeting appears limited.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Khamzat Chimaev ‘was set to face Jiri Prochazka at 205’ before 185 pound Strickland swerve