Coach: Khamzat Chimaev Going to ‘Take Both Belts’ While Fighting at 170, 185 Pounds

While Khamzat Chimaev didn’t show any ill effects from a failed weight cut during his victory over Kevin Holland at UFC 279, coach Andreas Michael saw enough behind the scenes to follow the doctor’s recommendation to quit cutting weight one day prior.

“We took the first [eight pounds] quite easy, and then it’s like, ‘We’re going to take the rest in the morning. So we had about [five to six pounds] left. But then some complications started happening during the night,” Michael told ESPN. “[Chimaev] started getting cramps, started throwing up, he started being dizzy. His body was seizing up, and we called the UFC. We called the physician and we wanted the advice from them, because I’m not a doctor. I don’t know what’s safe and not safe, and I always take the safe route. We’re playing with people’s lives here – it’s not a joke.

“Actually, he had about six pounds to lose, but we drank before because he needed to hydrate a little bit before we weighed in, with the physician’s recommendation. Remember that: The doctor recommended this. I will not go against the doctor.”

Chimaev ultimately missed the welterweight mark by 7.5 pounds, which led to the promotion reshuffling the UFC 279 card. Chimaev was rebooked against Holland in a 180-pound catchweight fight, while original foe Nate Diaz squared off against Tony Ferguson in the new welterweight main event. While Chimaev showed little remorse for missing weight after his first-round submission of Holland, his coach acknowledged the need to take accountability.

"If we don't man up and [take responsibility], we show bad character," Michael said. "We have to have respect for the sport and the people that have signed the contract and put their body under the strain to make weight. All respect to Nate and his camp. He's a warrior.”

Michael said that Chimaev began camp less than two months ago weighing more than 200 pounds. That proved to be too short of a timeframe to make the cut to welterweight, but Michael pointed out that it was the first time in his UFC tenure that Chimaev has missed weight.

“He’s never missed weight any other time before that, so I don’t know why everyone’s acting as if he’s always missing weight,” Michael said. “It’s the first time. Yes, he has had a hard time making weight, and that’s on him. He trains hard and he likes to eat to have energy. He trains harder than anyone, but that comes with consequences. You have to fuel the machine.”

Michael expectes Chimaev to fight again before the end of the year, this time at middleweight. However, the plan remains to compete at both 170 and 185 pounds.

"He's a big boy, and he needs a little time [if he's going to] fight at 170 [pounds,]" Michael said. "But he can make weight, of course. He just needs a little more time. We're going to go up and down. We're going middleweight, welterweight, get ranked in both divisions and then we take both belts.”