It will be nearly three years on Saturday when Kamaru Usman faces Khamzat Chimaev in the co-main event of UFC 294 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, that he's fought anyone other than Leon Edwards.
Usman was training as normal last week when he was called asking if he'd be available, if needed, for UFC 294. Paulo Costa was supposed to fight Chimaev, but he had surgery on his right elbow that developed into a staph infection, forcing him out.
"Some guys will sit at home and they've been doing nothing and a huge opportunity comes, they can't capitalize on it because they're not prepared. For me, in a sense, I've been preparing. It's not like I was sitting at home doing nothing. I was working, trying to get better, trying to learn new things. When this came up, I could take it because I had been working. I called my coaches right away and they didn't talk me out of it, so I was ready to go.
The Chimaev hype train is still running, though it's slowed considerably. Injuries and COVID kept him out for 13 months, until he choked Li Jingliang unconscious at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi, talking to UFC CEO Dana White seated at ringside while he was in the process of pummeling Jingliang. "He has a win over Gilbert, and how can you not be impressed by that?" Usman said."Gilbert is a bad dude. But I think Khamzat realized after that fight he wasn't going to run over everyone like he had been."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Video: Kamaru Usman, Khamzat Chimaev keep cool in interview with Chael Sonnen before UFC 294It appears there may not be any beef between Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman before they fight Saturday at UFC 294.
Read more »
Grisly photo shows severity of Paulo Costa’s staph infection that forced UFC 294 withdrawalAnyone who's been critical of Paulo Costa having to withdraw from UFC 294 might want to reconsider their stance.
Read more »
UFC 294: Islam Makhachev knows what he's up against in Alexander Volkanovski rematchIslam Makhachev freely admits that Alexander Volkanovski is the best fighter he's faced in the UFC. They'll meet again for the lightweight belt Saturday (2 p.m.
Read more »
UFC 294: Islam Makhachev knows what he's up against in Alexander Volkanovski rematchIslam Makhachev freely admits that Alexander Volkanovski is the best fighter he's faced in the UFC. They'll meet again for the lightweight belt Saturday (2 p.m.
Read more »
Alexander Volkanovski: If Kamaru Usman is in shape, his takedown defense will be hard for Khamzat Chimaev...Alexander Volkanovski sees Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman playing out on the feet.
Read more »