Arman Tsarukyan Discusses Khamzat Chimaev's Weight Cut Struggles Ahead of UFC 328

Arman Tsarukyan witnessed Khamzat Chimaev's first defeat during UFC 328 against Sean Strickland in May, a bout that marked a significant moment in Chimaev's career. Serving as a training partner for the former middleweight champion, Tsarukyan observed the difficulties Chimaev faced in the lead-up to the fight, particularly related to the weight cut.

Chimaev began the fight strong, employing his signature grappling style to dominate Strickland initially. However, as the match progressed, his momentum faltered. After losing the second round, Chimaev found himself in a competitive battle over the remaining rounds, ultimately losing by split decision, which crowned Strickland as a two-time titleholder.

In an interview on "The Ariel Helwani Show," Tsarukyan shared insights into Chimaev's weight management challenges. "After the first round, he got tired," Tsarukyan explained. "Mostly because of the weight cut. He could wrestle for 25 minutes nonstop in camp, but when it came to cutting weight, his body reacted poorly." Tsarukyan recounted how Chimaev struggled to shed the final pounds, even expressing concerns about his ability to make weight.

Despite the pressure, Chimaev managed to weigh in successfully, although he appeared significantly drained. Following the fight, he expressed to UFC CEO Dana White his desire to move up in weight classes. Tsarukyan noted that Chimaev's toughest moments occurred when he was just a pound away from the 185-pound limit, and while he wasn’t present for the most difficult parts, he confirmed that Chimaev faced severe challenges during the cut.

Reflecting on the criticism Chimaev has faced since his loss, Tsarukyan emphasized that the nature of MMA leads to fluctuating perceptions. "People are always gonna talk,” he remarked. “When he wins, everyone says he did a good job; when he loses, they claim he's doing everything wrong." Tsarukyan remains optimistic that Chimaev can bounce back with some minor adjustments rather than a complete overhaul of his preparation.

On his own front, Tsarukyan continues to assert himself in the UFC lightweight division, having recently submitted Dan Hooker in November. He awaits the outcome of the June 14 lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, positioning himself as a potential replacement. While speculation about a rematch with Charles Oliveira circulates, Tsarukyan clarified that nothing is finalized regarding his next fight, indicating he may return to the octagon later this year.