Overview
- Former bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw told reporters that he witnessed Chimaev suffer an extreme weight cut and that the fighter was “on the verge of death,” vomited green bile, and was guided by what Dillashaw called a weight-cutting “fraud.”
- Sources say Chimaev began camp roughly 50 pounds above the 185-pound limit and that the late-stage, aggressive dehydration was poorly managed, a process Dillashaw says likely impaired his in-cage performance.
- Chimaev lost a split decision at UFC 328 and has since given mixed signals about his future by first suggesting a move to light heavyweight then publicly demanding an immediate rematch, while reports also note he once missed weight attempting 170 pounds.
- Sean Strickland remains on a medical suspension as the UFC faces pressure to weigh rematch requests, contender priorities, and whether to probe the conduct of the team that handled Chimaev’s cut.
- The allegations have refocused attention on extreme weight cutting in MMA, highlighting risks to fighters, the role of cut teams and nutritionists, and the potential for tighter oversight or rule changes to protect athlete health.