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Dustin Poirier suggests Strickland stole something precious from Chimaev beyond the belt
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- Dustin Poirier suggests Strickland stole something precious from Chimaev beyond the belt
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Concerns around Khamzat Chimaev's weight cut were already part of the UFC 328 conversation before he faced Sean Strickland for the middleweight title.
Those concerns looked more significant after the fight, with Chimaev fading after a dominant start and losing by split decision.
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It was the first defeat of Chimaev's 16-fight career, but Dustin Poirier believes Strickland took something more precious than his belt or unbeaten record.
Dustin Poirier says Khamzat Chimaev's aura took a hit after Sean Strickland defeat
Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images
Poirier looked at the fight and saw a deeper consequence for 'Borz', whose reputation had been built around pressure, intimidation, and an unbeaten rise.
The former UFC interim lightweight champion said Chimaev's next opponent would approach him differently because Strickland had made him look beatable, affecting his 'aura'.
"Well, the next fight, whoever he [Chimaev] gets matched up with, it's going to be tough for him to intimidate, because his aura took a hit this week," Poirier said.
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"Good weakness with the back and forth, I thought it was real, I think his whole aura took a hit this week."
'The Diamond' also pointed to the post-fight scene, where Chimaev was friendly with Strickland and even helped put the belt on him after such a heated build-up.
"And putting the belt on him, like, come on, man!" Poirier added.
Chris Weidman echoed that feeling after watching the intensity vanish once the fight actually began.
"The stare down in the beginning, they had how many damn security guards and police officers in there, because they were so worried they were going to fight beforehand. And then they tapped gloves like twice, and they started smiling and laughing at each other, and I'm like, 'Damn, they just worked us,'" the ex-middleweight champ said.
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That is where Poirier's point lands: Chimaev lost the title, but Strickland may also have damaged the fear that made him different.
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