Usman set to make his middleweight debut against the undefeated Chimaev

Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman steps up a division and steps in on short notice, replacing Paulo Costa in a tantalizing clash with undefeated standout Khamzat Chimaev in next Saturday’s co-main event.

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UFC 294

 
Saturday | LIVE from 18:00 CAT | SS Action

After winning his first 15 consecutive appearances inside the Octagon, Usman ventures to Abu Dhabi and the middleweight ranks on a two-fight slide, having lost consecutive contests to current champ Leon Edwards. He’s talked about moving up in weight and his desire to face Chimaev many times in the past, so it will be interesting to see if he was preparing for an opportunity like this to potentially present itself and what he brings to the table in the 185-pound weight class.

Chimaev has been the unbeaten boogeyman lingering in the background of both the welterweight and middleweight title pictures since truly establishing himself as a contender with a win over Gilbert Burns last year. A perfect 12-0 as a professional with five of his six UFC victories coming by way of stoppage, the 29-year-old now faces the most experienced, high-level opponent of his career, with the added wrinkle of doing so on short notice.

As if the fascination with this matchup and how it plays out wasn’t enough, UFC CEO Dana White announced on Thursday that the winner will be next in line to challenge for the middleweight title, as well, upping the ante on this blockbuster pairing even more.

Can Usman swoop in and punch his ticket to an immediate middleweight title shot or will Chimaev keep rolling and finally land the championship opportunity many have been waiting for him to garner for the last couple of years?

Source: UFC