Khamzat Chimaev shocked fans by coming in two pounds under the middleweight limit at the UFC 319 weigh-ins, but all may not have been as it seemed.
Saturday’s main event will see Chimaev’s long-awaited first title shot come to fruition, as the undefeated Chechen star looks to win gold five years after announcing his UFC arrival in emphatic fashion and beginning an initial pursuit of welterweight glory.
‘Borz’ has since moved up to middleweight and set his sights on the 185-pound title. To claim it, Chimaev must dethrone Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 inside Chicago’s United Center.
While Chimaev’s run-in with Du Plessis during fight week led many to suggest the challenger would have a size advantage inside the cage, he actually came in much lighter than expected at the official weigh-ins. His team, however, is disputing that.
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Khamzat Chimaev’s nutritionist insists he was not two pounds underweight at the UFC 319 weigh-ins
While he did not miss weight, Chimaev’s UFC 319 weigh-in still caused a stir. Despite stripping down and stepping on the scale behind a curtain — a move usually made by those concerned about being overweight — the middleweight challenger’s weight was read out as 183 pounds.
Many were quick to question why Chimaev utilized the box only to come in two pounds under the championship limit. Comments from others, including a frustrated Du Plessis, later hinted at a possible issue with the scale.
That was recently confirmed by Chimaev’s nutritionist, Matteo Capodaglio. In a post on Instagram, he sought to quash any “speculation” about his fighter’s weight, insisting that the Chechen star had actually cut down to just below 185 pounds.
“Before any speculation starts about Khamzat’s weight, we weighed in on two UFC scales before stepping on the Athletic Commission’s one,” Capodaglio wrote.
“Our weight was 184.8 lb. I’m not sure if it was an operator issue, but I can assure you Khamzat’s weight was right below the championship limit of 185 lb,” he added.
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Khamzat Chimaev’s fiery final warning to Dricus du Plessis ahead of UFC 319
Following a largely drama-free fight week, aside from numerous UFC 319 fight cancellations, things briefly got heated during Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins.
And after Chimaev got physical with Du Plessis, forcing security and Dana White to intervene, ‘Borz’ sent an ominous warning to the champ with his final remarks ahead of fight night.
“Just gonna go f— this boy up,” Chimaev told Joe Rogan on stage.
“One day, he has only one day left. He is dead tomorrow.”