Overview
- Khamzat Chimaev lost the UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 328 after a performance in which he looked visibly fatigued following a brutal weight cut.
- Arman Tsarukyan, who was in Chimaev’s corner and trained at Sam Calavitta’s Garage, said Calavitta should not be blamed for overtraining and noted Chimaev’s last session there was only 15–20 minutes.
- Tsarukyan advised that Chimaev can still make 185 pounds but should enter the final camp about 10 pounds above the limit instead of roughly 15 to avoid a late, damaging cut.
- UFC chief Dana White has not guaranteed an immediate rematch and Strickland remains under a medical suspension, leaving the promotion to decide whether to order a rematch or move to other ranked contenders.
- The exchange shifts media attention from single‑coach blame toward athlete responsibility, weight‑cut handling, and how camps and regulators must manage fighter safety going forward.