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

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The feared Khamzat Chimaev didn't even have time to begin his reign in the middleweight division (up to 83,9 kg). The MMA star, the Chechen, faced Sean Strickland in the highly publicized fight that headlined UFC 328 , an event held last Saturday (9), in New Jersey (USA), and, despite being a strong favorite, lost by split decision. But the result, which was shocking to many, seemed to be decided 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 with nine consecutive wins, a streak that began when he joined the company in 2020, and aimed to make his first title defense. However, the Chechen suffered from the 'jinx' that prevents many professionals from achieving their tenth consecutive victory in the organization. Interestingly, this curse has claimed as its main victims, besides 'Borz', four of the greatest and best fighters in the history of the middleweight division.

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Notable victims in the UFC

The first victim was Chris Weidman . The American debuted in the UFC in 2011, became the middleweight champion undefeated, and defeated big names like Anderson Silva (twice), Demian Maia , Lyoto Machida , and Vitor Belfort . However, 'The All-American' was defeated in 2015. Seeking his tenth consecutive victory in the company, which would have marked his fourth title defense, he was knocked out by Luke Rockhold in the fourth round.

The second fighter who couldn't resist the curse was Robert Whittaker . From 2014 to 2018, the Australian shone in the octagon, achieving nine consecutive victories. During that period, 'The Reaper' became middleweight champion, but he couldn't defend the belt. Why? Because when seeking his tenth consecutive win, the athlete had the misfortune of facing Israel Adesanya in 2019. As a result, the man who had defeated Yoel Romero twice 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 defeated Anderson Silva , Kelvin Gastelum , Marvin Vettori , Paulo Borrachinha , Robert Whittaker , and Yoel Romero , thus earning the right to challenge Jan Blachowicz , the light heavyweight champion (up to 93 kg). Upon moving up a division, the athlete was controlled and lost the fight to the Pole 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 Plessis . The South African began his journey in the company in 2020, became champion undefeated in 2024, but his great moment ended in 2025. The athlete, who defeated Darren Till , Israel Adesanya , Robert Whittaker , and Sean Strickland (twice), was seeking his tenth consecutive victory and his third title defense, but succumbed to Khamzat Chimaev 's grappling , 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.

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