Dricus du Plessis, the UFC Middleweight Champion, has shared his perspective on Khamzat Chimaev’s claims regarding a difficult weight cut following his title loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 328. Du Plessis believes that using the weight cut as an excuse is not the right approach for “Borz” and his team.
Following his defeat to Sean Strickland via split decision, Chimaev’s training partners, including Arman Tsarukyan, suggested that the fighter endured a brutal weight cut to make the 185-pound limit, describing the final pounds as a “nightmare.” This led to speculation that Chimaev’s performance, which saw him opt for striking over his usual wrestling, was impacted by fatigue due to the arduous cut.
However, Dricus du Plessis dismissed these excuses, stating in an interview with Fight Forecast that he has personally experienced more challenging weight cuts. “I think this whole weight-cut excuse is ridiculous,” du Plessis remarked. “I think they said he [Khamzat Chimaev] cut 12 pounds in 24 hours. Those are rookie numbers… I definitely cut more than that.”
Du Plessis further advised Chimaev that even if the weight cut was difficult, it should not be cited as the sole reason for losing the fight. He emphasized the importance of discipline and fitness, suggesting that excuses are unproductive. “Be more disciplined, and the weight cut would be easier,” the South African fighter recommended. He also proposed that if Chimaev consistently struggles with making weight, a move to the light heavyweight division (205 pounds) might be a more suitable option.
After his UFC 328 bout, Chimaev initially expressed interest in moving up to light heavyweight, even mentioning it to Dana White. However, he has since seemingly changed his mind and is now reportedly focused on a rematch with Sean Strickland, with training footage indicating preparation for such a fight.
