Damn it! Khamzat Chimaev is the latest victim of the UFC success curse; find out why.

Chimaev focused before fighting in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

PUBLICITY:

the dreaded Khamzat Shimaev He didn't even have time to begin a reign in the middleweight division (up to 83,9 kg). The MMA star, from Chechens, faced... Sean Strickland in the media-covered fight that he led UFC 328, an event held last Saturday (9), in New Jersey (USA), and, even being a strong favorite, lost by split decision. But the result, which was shocking to many, seemed to be defined even before the rivals faced each other, as 'Borz' dealt not only with the American, but also with a curse that afflicts precisely those who achieve success.

Chimaev arrived at UFC 328 As the owner of nine consecutive victories, a streak that began upon his arrival in the company in 2020, he aimed to make his first title defense. However, the Chechen suffered from the 'jinx' that prevents many professionals from achieving their tenth consecutive win in the organization. Interestingly, this curse has as its main victims, besides 'Borz', four of the greatest and best fighters in the history of the middleweight division.

See too

Revenge! Khamzat Chimaev hasn't forgotten the belt and is aiming for a rematch against his tormentor Sean Strickland in the UFC.

Is a fight coming? Borrachinha hurls insults at Khamzat Chimaev in the UFC and questions his sexual orientation.

Goodbye, Caio Borralho? New champion Sean Strickland defines his opponent, and it's not Chimaev; see who he's chosen.

Notable victims in the UFC

The first victim was Chris WeidmanThe American made his UFC debut in 2011, became the middleweight champion undefeated, and defeated big names such as Anderson Silva (twice), Demian Maia, Lyoto Machida e Vitor belfortHowever, 'The All-American' was defeated in 2015. Seeking his tenth consecutive victory in the company, which would have marked his fourth title defense, the athlete was knocked out by... Luke Rockhold in the fourth round.

The second fighter who couldn't resist the power of the curse was Robert whittakerFrom 2014 to 2018, the Australian shone in the octagon, achieving nine consecutive victories. During that period, 'The Reaper' became the middleweight champion, but he was unable to defend the belt. Why? Because in his quest for a tenth consecutive win, the athlete had the misfortune of encountering... Israel adesanya, in 2019. As a result, the executioner of Yoel romero (twice) he was knocked out by the Nigerian in the second round in Australia.

Whittaker focused before fighting in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

If Adesanya put an end to Whittaker's history as champion, the same would suffer from the curse years later, more precisely in 2021. The renowned striker debuted in the UFC in 2018 and, undefeated and quickly, won the interim and undisputed middleweight belt in 2019. Along the way, the Nigerian won Anderson Silva, Kelvin Gastelum, Marvin vettori, Paulo borrachinha, Robert whittaker e Yoel romero and thus, he earned the right to challenge Jan Blachowicz, the light heavyweight champion (up to 93 kg). Upon moving up a weight class, the athlete was controlled and lost the fight to the Polish fighter by unanimous decision, consequently ending his long streak of nine consecutive victories.

Adesanya focused before fighting in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

The fourth and final victim of the UFC curse was Dricus du PlessisThe South African began his journey with the company in 2020, was undefeated champion in 2024, but his great moment ended in 2025. The athlete, who went through Darren till, Israel adesanya, Robert whittaker, Sean Strickland (twice), he was seeking his tenth consecutive victory and to make his third title defense, but succumbed to the grappling of Khamzat Shimaev, losing by unanimous decision.

Du Plessis backstage at the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

Now that we've seen Chimaev also fall by the wayside, it's up to Strickland to watch out. It's true that, at 35, it's hard to imagine the new middleweight champion stringing together nine consecutive wins, like the quintet. In any case, if the American continues to surprise and succeeds, the curse that prevents many athletes from achieving a tenth consecutive victory will be ready to claim him.