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UFC 294 has the most intriguing co-main event. When Paulo Costa (Chimaev’s original opponent) ended up getting removed from the card after bragging on social media how tough he was for being in the gym shortly after having elbow surgery thanks to a nasty staph infection. As soon as his post hit social media, media and fans were playing fantasy matchmaker, but who would’ve ever guessed the replacement.
When it was announced that former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman would be facing off against the massive middleweight, the entire community was caught off guard. Many were apprehensive about the size disparity and the short notice nature, but the more it was pondered and contemplated, the more people started warming to the idea.
Now, UFC 294 is just hours away and Kamaru Usman, who’s mentioned in the past that he’d like to test himself up at 185, has the chance to make an immediate statement, and possibly put himself in immediate title contention. The age gap—seven years—combined with Usman’s long career filled with grueling battles, is enough to give any fan pause, but the prospect of a David and Goliath storyline is kind of awesome. Let’s take a look at their stats and accolades:
Chimaev
- Ranked No. 4 at Welterweight
- 12-0 record with 6 knockout wins and 5 submission wins
- POTN x4
- FOTN x1
- Longest UFC winning streak: 5
- Current UFC streak: 5 wins
Usman
- Ranked No. 1 at Welterweight
- 20-3 record with 9 knockout wins and 1 submission win
- POTN x4
- FOTN x1
- Longest UFC winning streak: 15
- Current UFC streak: 2 losses
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman live play-by-play
Round 1
Low kick by Chimaev. Chimaev shoots for a double, but Usman stuffs it. Chimaev has his back working for the takedown. He manage to get Usman down and is riding his back and landing shots. Usman up on his hands and knees, not flattened out.
Borz working to separate Usman from the fence. Usman works his way back to the fence. Chimaev working from the top but is starting to fall off. Chimaev is still riding him and landing punches and elbows. Usman stands up with the Borz backpack. Chimaev sinks in the choke but Usman drops down to avoid, shaking him loose somewhat.
Borz on his back trying to flatten him out. Usman is landing shots but Borz is controlling well and working for another choke. Chimaev is just making positional changes to keep Usman controlled. That was a mauling.
Round 2
Usman with a left jab followed by a low kick. Chimaev feinting but hasn’t engaged yet. Usman with a nice left and faked a takedown. Kick to the midsection by Usman. Left high kick by Chimaev is partially blocked. Teep kick by Usman.
Low kick by Chimaev. Crowd is booing. Low kick by Usman followed by a straight right. Right high kick by Chimaev is blocked. Right up top lands for Usman. Right to the midsection by Chimaev. Another right high kick by Chimaev gets blocked. Nice right from Usman lands fluch. Low kick by Usman.Left straight by Usman falls short.
Chimaev shoots and gets Usman down. Usman has the chest wrap but Chimaev works his way to side control and pops his head out. Chimaev working for knee on belly as the round ends. Much better round for Usman.
Round 3
Left lands for Chimaev. Chimaev shoots the double but Usman avoids it. Quick left by Usman misses. Right lands a lead right. Usman fakes the single. Borz frequently changes stances as Usman lands a big right.
Usman slips and is right back up. Nice jab by Usman lands. Beautiful combo lands for Usman. Usman is measuring him and throwing with everything he’s got. Chimaev trying to throw back but missing. Usman fakes the single again.
Inside leg kick by Chimaev. Chimaev shoots for the double and gets it. He’s on top in half guard working to get to side control. Chimaev landing elbows from the top. Usman keeping him in half guard. Chimaev not getting as much momentum here as before. Usman defending but Borz is like a lead blanket right now.
Usman back to his feet. Borz with an oblique kick. Usman lands a big right and they start swinging for the fences as the horn sounds. Good fight!
Official Decision
Khamzat Chimaev def. Kamaru Usman by majority decision (29-27 x2, 28-28): Middleweight
UFC 294: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 Quick Results
Main Card
- – Islam Makhachev def. Alexander Volkanovski by KO at 3:06 of round 1; lightweight
- – Khamzat Chimaev def. Kamaru Usman by majority decision (29-27 x2, 28-28): Middleweight
- – Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker is a no contest at 3:13 of round 1: Light Heavyweight
- – Ikram Aliskerov def. Warlley Alves by TKO at 2:07 of round 1: Middleweight
- – Said Nurmagomedov def. Muin Gafurov by submission (Ninja Choke) at 1:13 of round 1: Bantamweight
Prelims
- – Muhammad Mokaev def. Tim Elliott by submission (Arm Triangle) at 3:03 of round 3: Flyweight
- – Trevor Peek def. Mohammad Yahya by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28): Lightweight
- – Javid Basharat vs. Victor Henry is a no contest at :15 of round 2: Bantamweight
- – Sedriques Dumas def. Abu Azaitar by unanimous decision (29-28 x3): Middleweight
- – Mike Breeden def. Anshul Jubli by KO at 3:00 of round 3: Lightweight
- – Muhammad Naimov def. Nathaniel Wood by unanimous decision (29-28 x3): Featherweight
- – Victoria Dudakova def. Jinh Yu Frey by unanimous decision (29-28 x3): Strawweight
- – Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Bruno Silva by unanimous decision (30-27 x3): Middleweight
Start date and time
UFC 294: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 takes place on October 21st, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main event starts at 2 p.m. ET. The prelims begin at 10 a.m. ET.
Live streams
UFC 294: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 is available on ESPN+ PPV for $79.99 for current subscribers. New subscribers can pay $124.98 for the UFC 294 pay-per-view and an ESPN+ annual subscription. The event is scheduled to start live at 10:00am ET, 7:00am PT, with the prelims on the ESPN+ streaming platform in the US, as well as Fight Pass. The PPV main card is to kick off at 2:00pm ET, 11:00am PT. For full streaming details, and compatible devices go here.
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