In the co-main event of UFC 294, Khamzat Chimaev faced Kamaru Usman at middleweight. The Chechen won by majority decision.
Initially, Khamzat Chimaev was scheduled to face Paulo Costa (ranked 6th at middleweight) at this event. Injured in the elbow, the Brazilian had to withdraw from the fight against ‘Borz’. More than a week before the event, it was Kamaru Usman who accepted the fight against Khamzat on short notice. Former welterweight champion, the Nigerian was making his debut in the top category.
Khamzat Chimaev takes the majority decision!!
He leaves #UFC294 with the victory over Kamaru Usman at #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/EjxZT6XiBA
— UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
Round 1: Straight up, Khamzat dives into Usman’s legs and takes him to the ground. He takes the Nigerian’s back and locks in hooks to the body. In a dominant position, Chimaev sends punches to his opponent’s face. Usman tries to struggle to avoid submission at all costs. ‘Borz’ looks for the opening but the former welterweight champion defends as best he can.
Security has to hold Usman and Chimaev back before the fight starts! 🔥 #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/SYhwkRRSfm
— UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
Round 2: Standing, the two athletes observe each other for three long minutes. The audience is getting impatient because the pace has dropped. Kamaru Usman lands some good punches, and ‘Borz’ validates another takedown at the end of the round.
Final 5 minutes on the way!
Go inside the Usman corner before Round 3 🔊 #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/HUU2l0k2pb
— UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
Round 3: The pace picks up. Chimaev tries to enter the fight but the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ defends the takedowns well. Standing up, Usman inflicts some damage on the Chechen. Khamzat finds the loophole and once again brings Usman to the ground. On his back, the former welterweight champion is under pressure from ‘Borz’. Both men get up and finish the fight throwing punches in all directions.
In the end, Khamzat Chimaev won by majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28), and retained his invincibility. ‘Borz’ is now 13-0 in his career, and could next face middleweight champion Sean Strickland.
الذئب حمزة تشمايف يفوز بقرار غالبية الحكام على النيجير كمار عثمان بعد مبارة أكثر من رائعة..
The wolf Hamzat Chimayev wins by decision of the majority of referees over Nigeria's Kamar Usman after a more than wonderful match..#fighter #chechnya #dagestan pic.twitter.com/5D3PD4NmC9
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) October 21, 2023
After the fight, Chimaev delivered a message of peace in the face of recent conflicts plaguing the world. The Chechen also received his BJJ brown belt!
For his part, Kamaru Usman has a third consecutive defeat in the UFC.
