Khamzat Chimaev team reveals real reason for 'strange' UFC weigh-in that left fans concerned ahead of first title fight

Khamzat Chimaev's nutritionist has explained why he came underweight for UFC 319 after concerning fans at the official weigh-in.

Chimaev meets UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis in the main-event of tonight's blockbuster UFC 319.

It's his first shot at UFC gold, having earned a reputation as the division's bogeyman following his dominant victories over Li Jingliang, Kevin Holland and Robert Whittaker, who suffered a nasty jaw injury.

But Chimaev worried UFC fans when he needed the dreaded box to weigh in during the official weigh-ins.

The 31-year-old, however, tipped the scales at 183lbs - two lbs under the middleweight championship limit.

Speaking after the UFC star weighed in, Chimaev's nutritionist, Matteo Capodaglio, explained why his client came in under the championship weight limit.

In a post on Instagram, Capodaglio wrote: "Before any speculation starts about Khamzat’s weight, we weighed in on two UFC scales before stepping on the Athletic Commission’s one.

"Our weight was 184.8 lb. I’m not sure if it was an operator issue, but I can assure you Khamzat’s weight was right below the championship limit of 185 lb."

Khamzat Chimaev weighed in under the championship middleweight limit at the official UFC 319 weigh-ins. Image: Getty

There appeared to be an issue with the scales the Illinois commission were using as several fighters had complained about their weight ahead of UFC 319.

Khamzat Chimaev issues chilling final message to Dricus Du Plessis ahead of UFC 319

After officially making weight for UFC 319, Chimaev returned for the ceremonial weigh-ins, where he faced off with Du Plessis for the final time before meeting him inside the famed Octagon.

They had to be separated by Dana White and security in an explosive face-off.

Khamzat Chimaev was pulled away from Dricus Du Plessis at the UFC 319 ceremonial weigh-ins. Image: Getty

And when speaking to Joe Rogan, 'Borz' issued a chilling message to his opponent.

"Just gonna go f**k this boy up," he told Rogan on stage.

"One day, he has only one day left. He is dead tomorrow."

Chimaev will be aiming to snatch the UFC middleweight title away from Du Plessis, who, in turn, is looking to make the third defence of his championship.