MMA star Khamzat Chimaev’s first defeat at UFC 328 on May 10 wasn’t just a blow to his 15-0 undefeated record — it was a rare moment of silence from the Chechen fighter. After the judges declared American Sean Strickland the winner of the match, Chimaev placed the championship belt around his opponent’s waist and left the ring without addressing the crowd.It was a radically different end compared to his usual post-match displays of bravado, which have been punctuated by the slogan “Akhmat — si
Kate Tsurkan is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent, focusing primarily on culture-related topics in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. She explores themes such as cultural movements, fine art, and pop culture through her writing and her weekly newsletter, Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan. Her work has been featured in prominent outlets including Project Syndicate, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Review of Books.












