Kamaru Usman v Khamzat Chimaev | PREVIEW

The Etihad Arena hosts UFC 294 for its annual event this Saturday as martial arts sensation Khamzat Chimaev welcoming former UFC Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman into the 185 lbs weight class in a stellar co-main event. 

In what was a dramatic pre-fight week, the UFC 294 card sustained massive blows following the announcements of the withdrawal of Brazilian striker, Paulo Costa from the co-main event. 

But given the caliber and standard of the replacement in Usman, there are no qualms regarding how the fight card has shaped out to be. Usman’s body of work in their respective weight classes are nothing short of influential. 

Kamaru Usman had a formidable run as the 170 lbs kingpin, accumulating five championship defences since clinching the title from Tyron Woodley in March 2019. The Nigerian Nightmare was on a tear cleaning up the division, overcoming the likes of Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns in dominating fashion.

His era was ended abruptly courtesy of Leon Edwards in the form of a brutalizing head kick knockout. Usman’s efforts to regain his lost possession was in vain, as he lost to Edwards by unanimous decision in their trilogy contest at UFC 286 in March. 

Chimaev inversely has been inactive for a prolonged period. His dismantlement of Kevin Holland at UFC 279 last year in one round reiterated his message to the UFC 170 and 185 lbers that he is a looming threat. However, the chaotic events that transpired at UFC 279 with relation to Borz missing weight, has left the Swede in limbo, unable to find an opponent at Welterweight.

As such, the undefeated martial artist has now opted to move up to the 185 lbs weight class and cement his stay in the division. While he was preparing to face former title challenger Paulo Costa, Borrachinha’s untimely injury has rendered Chimaev to turn his attention to Usman.

The pair’s collision will likely give birth to the dawn of a new era at Middleweight despite Usman’s age, considering Sean Strickland’s victory to depose Israel Adesanya last month. 

Defeat for either man will surely trigger introspection, with Chimaev facing questions regarding the validity of his skillset. Usman will have to combat narratives that he is well past his best. Victory will propel either contender to the top of the division, considering the victor is guaranteed the next shot at Strickland’s newly acquired Middleweight title.