A CONTROVERSIAL UFC star has accused Khamzat Chimaev of MISSING weight just hours before his showdown with Sean Strickland.
The Russian is set to make the first defence of his middleweight title against his former training partner early tomorrow morning in the main event of UFC 328 in New Jersey.
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Khamzat Chimaev makes his first defence of the middleweight title at UFC 328 Credit: Getty
The Russian’s weigh-in for the fight has sparked controversy Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Chimaev and Strickland, 32 and 35, respectively, were denied a face-off at last night’s ceremonial weigh-ins following their press conference shenanigans the day before.
But it was Chimaev’s official weigh-in earlier in the day that got chins wagging.
The Russian was one of the final fighters to weigh in during the official window, tipping the scales 20 minutes before it closed.
Chimaev looked drained and dejected as The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board official yelled out 185lbs just seconds after he hit the scale.
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Several viewers believe the scale hadn’t fully balanced before the commission official yelled out Khamzat Chimaev’s weight
Bryce Mitchell insists the Russian didn’t make weight and that a conspiracy is afoot Credit: Getty
Viewers of the weigh-in were stunned that the official claimed the Chechen had made championship weight before the scale had fully balanced.
And the footage set off controversial UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell, who is an outspoken believer in several disproven conspiracy theories.
He ranted on social media: “That dude didn’t make that weight.
“There’s no convincing me, bro… it’s all b******t.”
Mitchell reckons the early reading is a telltale sign the UFC want Chimaev to remain champion and have Strickland, who had no issue making weight, out of the picture.
‘Thug Nasty’ continued: “Khamzat gets special treatment.
“He didn’t make that weight and I think Sean’s champ already.
“They don’t want him to win because they can’t control what he says and he loves America.”
Fan favourite Chimaev claimed the middleweight crown last August with a lopsided points win over Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319.
