Weight Cut Bullying: UFC Fighter Claims Weight Drain Cost Khamzat Chimaev the Belt

Extreme weight cuts have long been one of the most polarizing issues in mixed martial arts, but UFC middleweight Ismail Naurdiev believes the brutal process does far more damage than fans realize. In fact, Naurdiev claims an agonizing weight drain is the biggest reason Khamzat Chimaev lost his UFC middleweight championship to Sean Strickland at UFC 328.

Chimaev entered the Octagon at Prudential Center in Newark riding an undefeated 15-0 professional record after snatching the belt from Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319. However, across five relentless rounds, Strickland fended off early grappling threats, maintained distance with sharp jabs, and earned a split-decision victory with scorecards reading 48-47, 47-48, and 48-47. The result handed Chimaev the first loss of his career, dropping him to 15-1 while Strickland reclaimed the middleweight crown to push his record to 31-7.

The Toll of the Cut

Reflecting on the championship fight, Naurdiev pulled no punches when describing the grueling physical toll the weight cut took on his teammate during fight week.

“Weight cutting is the biggest bullsh*t in this sport, it’s basically bullying,” Naurdiev said. “It was a rough cut for in that camp. But, I feel if fighters could fight at their normal weight, we would have better fights in the cage.”

Naurdiev’s outspoken critique hits at a core dilemma in combat sports. While Chimaev exploded out of the gate with dangerous submission attempts in the opening round, his energy visibly plummeted as the bout dragged into the deep waters.

Strickland capitalized on the champion's fatigue, stuffing takedowns and taking over the later rounds with constant volume. Many fighters chop off massive weight to gain a physical advantage, but Naurdiev argues the drastic weight drain strips athletes of their endurance and explosive power.

If top-tier competitors are forced to suffer through severe dehydration just to make weight, fans end up robbed of seeing world-class talent at 100%. Until weight-cutting practices undergo genuine reform, stories like Chimaev's gas tank running empty will continue to alter championship outcomes inside the Octagon.