Khamzat Chimaev’s weigh-in ahead of his first UFC title defense has become the subject of intense skepticism within the MMA community.

“Borz” is set to put his middleweight title on the line against former championSean Stricklandin the UFC 328 main event this weekend at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

On Friday morning, both fighters officially made the 185-pound middleweight limit during the UFC 328 weigh-ins. While Strickland made weight with ease,Khamzat Chimaevwas the final athlete from the card to step onto the scale. Although he successfully hit the championship mark, the undefeated Chechenlooked visibly drained and emotionally worn downthroughout the entire process.

Borz is ready to retain 🏆@KChimaevweighs in at 185lbs to make the main event OFFICIAL![#UFC328| May 9 | LIVE on@ParamountPlus]pic.twitter.com/1668kSfY2l

After the weigh-ins, Arman Tsarukyan disclosed that Chimaev endured anextremely difficult weight cutleading into UFC 328. According to the lightweight contender, “Borz” was forced to shed a staggering 45 pounds during fight week in order to make the middleweight limit.

Now, a massive controversy has erupted online, with many fans and fighters questioning the legitimacy of Khamzat Chimaev’s weigh-in and alleging that the New Jersey State Athletic Commission official announced “Borz” at 185 pounds while the scale still appeared to be moving.

Controversial featherweightBryce Mitchellwas one of the first fighters to publicly question Chimaev’s UFC 328 weigh-in on social media, claiming the reigning middleweight champion never truly made the 185-pound limit. “Thug Nasty” went even further by suggesting that influential figures behind the scenes were desperate to see Sean Strickland lose and allegedly overlooked what he believed was a clear weight miss.

“I know what it looks like when somebody makes that weight,” Mitchell said. “They have to stand completely still. The little thingumabob on the scale, it has to balance. That dude didn’t make that weight. There’s no convincing me, bro… It’s all bullsh*t. Khamzat gets special treatment… he didn’t make that weight and I think Sean’s champ already.”

Bryce Mitchell thinks Khamzat Chimaev missed weight and the scales were rigged against Sean Strickland 😬"That dude didn't make that weight. There's no convincing me bro… it's all bullsh*t.[Khamzat] gets special treatment… he didn't make that weight and I think Sean's…pic.twitter.com/B6kW9WmaaL

During the UFC 328 ceremonial weigh-ins, Strickland used his time on the microphone to fire more verbal shots at Chimaev, while also accusing his rival of never legitimately making weight for the championship bout.

Source: LowKickMMA.com