Overview
- Both Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland were recorded at 185 pounds on Friday, making the middleweight title bout official alongside Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira at flyweight.
- Chimaev appeared visibly drained on the scale according to multiple reports, and teammate Arman Tsarukyan later claimed he cut nearly 45 pounds during fight week, a claim reported but not independently verified.
- At the ceremonial faceoff Friday, Strickland accused Chimaev of missing weight, but UFC listings show both at 185 and the fight is set to go ahead under tightened security after Thursday’s onstage kick.
- Jeremy Stephens missed lightweight by four pounds at 160 and will forfeit 30 percent of his purse to opponent King Green.
- Sportsbooks still price Chimaev as a clear favorite (around -590 at DraftKings and -600 at Fanatics) for Saturday’s main event at Newark’s Prudential Center, with the main card streaming on Paramount+ at 9 p.m. ET.