Khamzat Chimaev’s loss at UFC 328 this past weekend took many by surprise, and that includes Khalil Rountree.

Chimaev and Rountree are training partners and “The War Horse” fully expected “Borz” to handle business this past Saturday in Newark. Instead, Chimaev ran into some problems in the second stanza and was forced to engage in the standup throughout his bout against Sean Strickland. Ultimately, Strickland dethroned Chimaev via split decision to capture the UFC Middleweight Championship.

Rountree appeared on the “JAXXON Podcast” to share his assessment of the fight. He does not believe Chimaev was in his element on fight night (h/t MMAJunkie).

“I would say that this was very hard to watch because I wasn’t watching the Khamzat that I know,” Rountree said. “It was hard for me to count every round and really analyze the fight because I was so shocked. Like, ‘What’s wrong with Khamzat?’ The first round was great. The second round things took a big turn.

“Then Round 3, in my opinion, after that round was done, I remember checking off my mind and give that round to Khamzat; I’m biased. Round 4, I was like, ‘OK, cool, we’re up three (rounds) going into five and then five, I blurred. So, all to say, I think that he did enough to win the fight. I think (Rounds) 1, 3 and 4. I don’t really remember watching No. 5. I think if a rematch happens, it looks completely different.”

Chimaev will have to go back to the drawing board, but what his plans will actually be remains a mystery. While UFC CEO Dana White revealed to reports that Chimaev told him he plans to move up to light heavyweight, “Borz” has been publicly calling for a rematch with Strickland.

Recently, Strickland took to social media to reveal a litany of issues with his shoulder, which he separated four days before UFC 328. There’s currently no word on how long it’ll take the UFC Middleweight Champion to heal.

Do you think the weight cut played a big role in Khamzat Chimaev’s performance at UFC 328, or was he simply outgunned by Sean Strickland? Chime in with your opinion below.