"Bro added 15 pounds in his neck alone" - Fans shocked by Khamzat Chimaev's 'Hulk-like' transformation for Robert Whittaker bout

Khamzat Chimaev is adequately preparing for his return to middleweight and fans are taking notice. Though Chimaev has not fought at welterweight since 2022, the 30-year-old was seen looking noticeably bigger in a recently leaked photograph.

Chimaev is no stranger to adding size to his frame, with fans often questioning how he has made 170 pounds in the past. 'Borz' made a seemingly permanent move to middleweight at UFC 294 against Kamaru Usman but will now look to cement himself as the top contender in the division against Robert Whittaker in June.

Fans immediately took note of the visible physical improvements Chimaev made in the viral picture. Some accused the picture of being a result of Photoshop or steroid usage but others could not help themselves from being in awe of the Russian's increased muscle mass.

One user noted the weight gain Chimaev put on in his neck, commenting:

"Bro added 15 pounds in his neck alone"

Another fan compared his body transformation to the Marvel universe superhero Hulk, writing:

"Bro he looks like the f****** Hulk"

Other fans commented:

"Roids"

"Is he gonna miss weight at 185 as well?"

"Secret juice bratha"

"That 1 round cardio is about to disappear even more"

View more fan reactions to Khamzat Chimaev's new muscle mass below:

Fans reacting to Khamzat Chimaev's updated physique [via @home_of_fight on X]

With the picture of Chimaev circling social media on May 27, it quickly became a subject of fan scrutinization.

Several fans noted a minor detail in the background of the muscular picture, appearing to reveal the use of editing software.

The picture that went viral also did not appeal to another group of fans who claimed the supposed body transformation did not align with the fighter's social media, which has posts of himself as recent as the same morning where he is visibly not the same size that the photograph shows.

Chimaev has not addressed the photo or rumors of his supposed muscle growth on social media as he prepares to return to the octagon on June 22.