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MMA·May 8, 2026 08:59 PM ET

Poirier rips Chimaev weigh-in: 'You have to let it balance'

Poirier joins chorus questioning Chimaev's 185 reading.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated May 92 min read
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via arielhelwani

What happened: On Ariel Helwani's show, Dustin Poirier criticized the official handling of Khamzat Chimaev's UFC 328 weigh-in, telling viewers the scale never settled before officials called 185 pounds. Poirier said the apparatus was a hang scale that requires time to balance, and that Chimaev stepped off before it stabilized. The remarks were presented by FREPouch on Helwani's Friday City Winery broadcast.

Why it matters: Chimaev's weigh-in has become the dominant storyline heading into Saturday night's middleweight title bout against Sean Strickland, with social-media clips fueling claims the bar was preset to 185. Poirier's comments add a credible fighter voice to allegations already circulating from fans and analysts, raising questions about commission protocol on a championship card. The controversy threatens to overshadow the fight itself and complicates the narrative around a champion who has historically struggled to make 185.

What to watch: Watch for an athletic commission statement on the weigh-in procedure and for further reaction from Strickland's camp, who have previously told Poirier the champion is hard to hold down. The fight goes Saturday night on Paramount+.

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