Khamzat Chimaev's coach reveals how proposed Jiri Prochazka fight hurt "Borz" against UFC foe Sean Strickland

Khamzat Chimaev's coach, Murad Bichuev, head coach at Chechnya's Fight Club Akhmat (FCA), has provided the fans with an insight into his rumored fight against Jiri Prochazka. 

Bichuev suggested that the UFC offered Chimaev a light heavyweight fight against ex-UFC light heavyweight champion Prochazka, but they later booked "Borz" to defend the UFC middleweight title against Sean Strickland. 

The MMA trainer indicated that the change in the UFC's plans adversely affected Chimaev, who was gaining muscle for the Prochazka matchup.

Bichuev insinuated that Chimaev was depleted because of having to pivot from the 205-pound matchup to the 185-pound fight, as he had to cut too much weight in a short period for the clash against Strickland. 

Khamzat Chimaev lost his middleweight belt after a major weight cut scare at UFC 328

Khamzat Chimaev's UFC middleweight title reign ended in May when he suffered a razor-thin split decision defeat against training partner-turned-rival Sean Strickland. Heading into that title fight, which headlined UFC 328, Chimaev was said to have endured a near-fatal weight cut. 

Intriguingly, ex-UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw eventually explained that he'd heard scary stories regarding Chimaev's weight cut for UFC 328. Dillashaw underscored that the Chechen combatant was "puking up green bile" in addition to battling other health complications from the extreme weight cut. 

It was a major health scare, which Chimaev's team has been quite vocal about in the aftermath of the fight. It marked the grappling savant's first defeat in MMA.

On the contrary, Strickland and his supporters have apparently downplayed the possible impact the bad weight cut had on Chimaev's performance. 

Khamzat Chimaev's coach Murad Bichuev recounts the supposed change in opponents from Jiri Prochazka to Sean Strickland, how it hurt "Borz"

Earlier this year, the MMA community was rife with speculation that the UFC could book Khamzat Chimaev against Jiri Prochazka in a UFC light heavyweight championship matchup. However, Chimaev's long-awaited light heavyweight move didn't materialize. 

Instead, Prochazka faced Carlos Ulberg for the vacant UFC light heavyweight belt at UFC 327 in April. Ulberg won the title with a miraculous KO of Prochazka, while dealing with a mid-fight knee injury. Also, Chimaev lost his middleweight title on the scorecards to Strickland at UFC 328 the following month. 

During a recent conversation with Red Corner MMA, Murad Bichuev alluded that there was indeed truth to the rumors of the Chimaev vs. Prochazka fight that had fight fans excited a few months ago. 

He explained that the UFC expected Chimaev to fight Prochazka in the light heavyweight (205-pound) division, but they allegedly scrapped that plan and had him face Strickland at middleweight. 

Bichuev stated, "Ahead of his (Khamzat Chimaev's) last fight, the weight cut was an issue. Because he, initially, was set to face (Jiri) Prochazka at 205. So we were mostly focusing on his physique. He started gaining muscle. He was gaining weight more than before." 

He added, "And then, they said, 'No. We're leaving this option aside.' You have to face (Sean) Strickland at 185. That's why we didn't have much time, and we faced more problems than we had expected." 

Furthermore, Bichuev seemed to reference Chimaev's relentless campaigning for a middleweight title rematch against Strickland, who's targeting a comeback in December. The UFC has yet to officially announce who Chimaev and Strickland would fight next. 

On that note, Bichuev said, "Since that fight, he (Khamzat Chimaev) has been constantly texting his manager. He wants that rematch." 

Meanwhile, Chimaev made his RAF (Real American Freestyle) wrestling promotional debut in June, defeating BJJ savant Dillon Danis via pinfall in less than a minute at RAF 10.

The Chechnya-born U.A.E.-based fighter got into a brawl with Danis thereafter. Currently, Chimaev is set to headline RAF Moscow against former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley on September 5. 

Watch Murad Bichuev discuss Khamzat Chimaev's supposed change in opponents below: 

"Khamzat was gaining weight for Prochazka, but then they said it will be Strickland"

Khamzat Chimaev’s coach, Murad Bichuev, reveals the team was originally focused on preparing for a light heavyweight fight against Jiří Procházka before being switched to Sean Strickland at… pic.twitter.com/bHomveb86K

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