Khamzat Chimaev has suggested his nationality played a role in his first defeat inside the UFC Octagon.
The Chechen fighter lost both the middleweight title and his unbeaten record on May 9, falling to Sean Strickland by split decision at UFC 328 in Newark.
Advertisement
The result was far from clear-cut, with plenty of fans questioning how the judges scored it. Chimaev is one of them, and he thinks there’s more to it than just what happened over five rounds.
Speaking in Arabic through his translator during a post-fight interview with ESPN MMA, Chimaev established his beliefs.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Chimaev says his nationality cost him against Strickland
Sean Strickland regained the middleweight title after the main event of UFC 328, but there was plenty of debate around how the judges scored it.
Chimaev’s corner that night included Arman Tsarukyan, who later said his fighter had been robbed. And on MMA Decisions, 13 of 24 media members who scored the bout sided with Chimaev.
Advertisement
The Chechen fighter clearly wasn’t happy and voiced his frustration on social media later in the week.
Chimaev deleted a post on X where he suggested that where he’s from played a role in how UFC 328 was judged.
“All judges are American, the organization is American, the opponent is American, and one is Chechen,” Chimaev wrote (h/t @ChampRDS via X).
“It’s a close fight. Who do you think will win? (laughing emoji)”
A number of fans accused him of making excuses for his loss, but Chimaev pushed back on those claims.
In an interview with SportsKeeda, Tsarukyan said: “I know Khamzat didn’t give his best. He could have done better; I believe so. But still – even though he gave only like 60 percent – I still think he won that fight.”
Advertisement
Read more:
