Khamzat Chimaev did not have to miss a weight for his journey to the Salen Pre-PUC 319 to become a big conversation point.
Everything is going to plan for Chimaev this week, because he is finally approaching his first title fight in the UFC.
After health and travel issues in the past, his turnout kept to the top as an unbeaten star, 'Borz' will finally have his shot at UFC 319 this Saturday. Chimaev will challenge Dricus du Plessis in the main event in the United Center in Chicago, looking for the first man who beats the South African in the Octagon.
After having arrived an obstacle in the form of entering the United States and another by avoiding diseases during Fight Camp and Fight Week so far, the Chechen hunter hunted a different task on Friday – but not how most expected …
Khamzat Chimaev cut two pounds under the required weight for UFC 319
Even in the middleweight, some remain afraid when former welterweight competition Chimaev appears on stage to weigh. But just like Champ Du Plessis, the challenger kept his end of the deal in the 'Windy City'.
Chimaev first weighed UFC 319 and was successful. And more than just touching the championship limit, 'Borz' came up with a surprising two pounds at 183 pounds.
That figure means that Chimaev was 2.5 pounds lighter on the scale than before his victory over Kamaru Usman on UFC 294 in 2023 and three pounds under the weight for Chimaev's brutal victory over Robert Whittaker over UFC 308 last year.
That more interesting and somewhat more confusing was the fact that 'Borz' was stripped down and stepped into the box on the scale, which is usually only brought forward if a hunter believes that they are in the risk of being overweight.
Fans had the cut and roads of Khamzat Chimaev question for UFC 319
The weight and decision of Chimaev to strip in the box quickly attracted reactions from fans and experts, many of whom were confused by the latest weighting of the Chechen star.
Among the theories, some suggested that the challenger just played it safely and avoids weight problems that Chimaev affected in the past.
“I think this was not strategically to his end, so that he can show the UFC a little:” Hey, I can certainly make 170 for that double champion fight. “
“Bro became naked for no reason.”
“Maybe he didn't want to be messing around with or had to suck weight at the last minute for a title fight?”
“Means that he was more willing to reduce weight. He should be in better condition for the fight.”
“Could be part of the plan, given his new S&C coach? Interested to see if that will influence his conditioning of the round of the round.”
“Probably just play safely.”
“Even stranger … he used the box. In my opinion, very unusual.”
“Why would he use the box if it is 2?”
“He took no risks this time.”
“That's very strange.”
While others put it on potential problems with the scale, some went a more humorous route and joked that Chimaev thought he was back at welterweight and was actually 13 pounds about his intended weight.
“Probably had a poorly calibrated scale.”
“He thought he weighed good weight again.”
“They have to check those scales.”
“His nutritionist did not intend to lift DC (Daniel Cormier).”