In the world of mixed martial arts, few topics spark as much debate as a fighter's weight cut—and the aftermath of UFC 328 is no exception. Arman Tsarukyan has stepped up to defend his close friend Khamzat Chimaev, firmly refuting rumors that Chimaev failed to make weight for his middleweight title bout against Sean Strickland.

The fight itself was a thriller, with Chimaev ultimately losing the belt via split decision to Strickland earlier this month. But the conversation quickly shifted from the action inside the Octagon to the drama at the scales. Chimaev appeared visibly drained during the official weigh-ins, stepping on the scale for only a few moments before the official called 185 pounds. Critics—including Strickland, Bryce Mitchell, and Bobby Green—were quick to accuse "Borz" of not hitting the mark, claiming the scale hadn't even settled before he stepped down.

Tsarukyan, however, is having none of it. Speaking on the "Jaxxon Podcast," he explained that the UFC's weigh-in process includes a crucial pre-check that makes missing weight nearly impossible. "He made weight," Tsarukyan insisted. "Before the official weigh-ins, you go to one more weigh-in. The UFC checks your weight on an automatic scale, and if you're good there, they let you go. If there is 186 on the automatic scale, you cannot go to the official one."

This isn't the first time weight-cutting issues have haunted Chimaev's career. Back in 2022, a botched weight cut led to the complete reshuffling of the UFC 279 card, a moment that still lingers in fans' minds. With UFC President Dana White recently hinting that Chimaev may move up to light heavyweight, the former champ has instead expressed a strong desire to run it back with Strickland and reclaim his title.

For now, Tsarukyan's defense adds a layer of clarity to the controversy—but in the fast-paced world of combat sports, the debate over what really happened on the scale is far from over.