The UFC 328 main event between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev was not without controversy, but it wasn’t the groin kick during the pre-fight press conference or the split decision scoring that sparked the most debate. The biggest issue arose the day before the bout at the official weigh-ins. Many, including the newly crowned two-time middleweight champion, believe Chimaev failed to make weight.
Critics pointed to how quickly the weight was announced after Chimaev stepped on the scale and the erratic movement of the bar. Viewers can judge for themselves by watching the video.
“That f**king scale, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding,” Strickland said during the post-fight press conference, referencing the bar’s movement. “He 1000% missed weight. We had a guy from my camp watching him step on the check scale. When he did, his whole camp said ‘f**k’ and they dragged him up because he was running out of time. He 1000% missed weight.”
Although Strickland said he didn’t care if Chimaev missed weight, he would have appreciated the 20 percent fine he would have collected. “I don’t b*tch about it. They’re like, do whatever. Be a heavyweight, I don’t care. But you know, at the end of the day, I heard he said he might want to move up to 205. You know, he should, dude. If that weight cut is killing you, go the f**k to 205. Enjoy life. It’s way easier competition,” Strickland said.
After the fight, UFC CEO Dana White revealed that Chimaev told him he was moving up to the light heavyweight division. “Because he missed weight,” Strickland said when told what “Borz” told White. “I should get 20 percent, dude. What the f**k.”