Arman Tsarukyan: Khamzat Chimaev skips tape study entirely

Khamzat Chimaev does not watch film on his opponents, according to training partner Arman Tsarukyan.

The lightweight contender told the PBD Podcast that Chimaev enters camp for his May 9 middleweight title defense against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 without studying tape. As Sherdog first reported, Tsarukyan said the champion builds his entire game plan around his own offense rather than scouting what Strickland might bring. Chimaev carries so much confidence in his own skill set that he does not care what an opponent will attempt, per Tsarukyan.

Chimaev’s approach shifts Tsarukyan’s own prep

Tsarukyan said he has watched more Strickland footage than Chimaev has during this camp. “He doesn’t even know what Strickland does. He cares what he is gonna do to [his opponent],” Tsarukyan said, according to Sherdog. “That’s why he is different, that’s why he is the champion.”

The approach is rubbing off. Tsarukyan admitted he now watches just one fight of an upcoming opponent and leaves the rest to his coaches. He called Chimaev’s mindset unique and said he tries to absorb elements of it during sparring sessions. Tsarukyan also revealed that Chimaev’s mood swings wildly in camp — from the funniest guy in the room to someone who will only answer in one-word responses within the span of an hour.

Chimaev defends his middleweight strap against Strickland on May 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark. The undefeated champion is 15-0.

Original reporting:

• sherdog.com — Arman Tsarukyan: Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t watch tape on opponents
• sherdog.com — Arman Tsarukyan discusses Khamzat Chimaev’s drastic mood swings