Arman Tsarukyan stood firmly behind Khamzat Chimaev after the former middleweight champion suffered the first loss of his professional MMA career at UFC 328.
Chimaev dropped a hard-fought split decision to Sean Strickland in the main event at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, as Strickland reclaimed the UFC middleweight title for a second time.
Many expected Khamzat Chimaev to dominate the fight with his wrestling and relentless pressure, but Strickland managed to shut down enough of the grappling exchanges to drag the fight into deep waters on the feet. Once the bout turned into a striking battle, Strickland looked comfortable and composed across the championship rounds.
Still, Arman Tsarukyan clearly disagreed with how the judges scored the fight.
“We fought our hearts out tonight and everyone watching knows what really happened,” Tsarukyan wrote on Instagram. “Head up Champ. You will get your belt back soon.”
The post appeared to question the judges’ decision after two scorecards favored Strickland 48-47, while one judge scored the contest for Chimaev by the same margin.
Tsarukyan spent part of Chimaev’s training camp working closely with him ahead of UFC 328, so it was no surprise to see the lightweight contender defend his teammate following the defeat. The bond between the two fighters has grown stronger over the years, especially during Chimaev’s rise to UFC gold.
Khamzat Chimaev entered the bout with plenty of momentum after capturing the middleweight title with a dominant performance over Dricus du Plessis. However, Sean Strickland’s durability, pressure, and sharp jab created problems Chimaev struggled to consistently solve throughout the five rounds.
Despite the heated trash talk leading into the fight, the tension between the two men cooled immediately after the final horn. Chimaev even wrapped the championship belt around Strickland’s waist in a surprising show of respect after the result was announced.
UFC CEO Dana White revealed after the event that Chimaev told him he plans to move up to the light heavyweight division. Chimaev has hinted at a move to 205 pounds multiple times in the past, especially due to the brutal weight cuts required to compete at middleweight.
Still, Chimaev also teased a possible rematch with Sean Strickland shortly after the loss, leaving the door open for unfinished business at 185 pounds.
Whether Khamzat Chimaev stays at middleweight or moves to light heavyweight, one thing is clear: the undefeated aura may be gone, but his biggest supporters, including Arman Tsarukyan, still believe he will return to championship form.
