Chimaev claims nationality cost him UFC 328 title in since-deleted tweet

Khamzat Chimaev lost the UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland via split decision at UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey, earlier this month — and the former champion believes the scorecards were shaped by more than what happened inside the cage.

In a since-deleted tweet, Chimaev (15-1) argued that the composition of the judging panel worked against him. “All judges are Americans, the organization is American, the opponent is American, and one is Chechen,” he wrote. “It’s a close fight. Who do you think will win?”

Chimaev had entered the bout as a heavy favourite against Strickland (30-7), but appeared to gas out in the later rounds, surrendering momentum after a strong start. While he acknowledged the contest was close, he stopped short of a full concession, insisting the result was unjust rather than earned.

Adding further context to the performance, Chimaev’s team confirmed he did not have a smooth weight cut ahead of UFC 328. The difficult preparation may help explain the visible fatigue that proved costly in the championship rounds.

Despite the defeat, Chimaev has quickly pivoted away from any talk of moving up to light heavyweight — a direction UFC president Dana White floated in the immediate aftermath of the loss. Chimaev has since made clear that a rematch with Strickland is his only focus.

“I’m waiting, tell me when you’re ready,” Chimaev wrote in a separate post directed at Strickland. “Next time somebody has to be dead.”

He also deleted the nationality-based grievance tweet, though not before it circulated widely. In a follow-up message, Chimaev appeared to walk back the framing slightly, writing: “No excuses, I just wanna fck him up. This s*t trying to run away.”

Strickland, who regained the middleweight title with the victory, has not yet publicly responded to Chimaev’s rematch demands.