Khamzat Chimaev lost his first professional fight when Sean Strickland defeated him by split decision for the middleweight title at UFC 328. Stephen Thompson believes the best version of Chimaev was not present in that bout. Thompson points to Chimaev’s preparation for the earlier fight against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319, when Chimaev trained in Kislovodsk, Russia, and delivered a dominant performance. Thompson questions why Chimaev did not spend as much time in the same training environment before the Strickland fight. Thompson also says Chimaev looked fatigued and tired, but expects Chimaev to win a rematch.
"“I remember when Khamzat was preparing for Du Plessis,” Thompson told Full Mount MMA. “I think he did a lot of training in [near Dagestan]. I don't think he did a whole a lot for this one. Which surprised me.”"
"“Do I think that was the best Chimaev that we've seen? No, I don't think so. He looked a little fatigued, a little tired.” via@MMAFullMountpic.twitter.com/8ZKp0r8057 - Full Mount MMA (@MMAFullMount)"
"“I think Chimaev [wins the rematch] for sure,” Thompson said. “Not saying he didn't take the last one seriously. But it's like a swing or a miss sometimes when you watch Chimaev fight. He looks immortal a lot when he faces up against some guys but then there is that one guy who just makes him l"
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