A video of Kamaru Usman and Justin Gaethje wrestling during UFC 294’s open workout has made fans concerned. Usman, who is set to face Khamzat Chimaev at the event in Abu Dhabi, might have injured his knee according to many fans. However, his teammate Gaethje assured fans that Usman was alright. Later, Usman expressed his frustration toward the people spreading the false news.
MMA Junkie posted a video on X where Usman was toying with Gaethje during their open workout. One fan came to the conclusion that Usman landed awkwardly while throwing the BMF champion. They believed that Usman “popped” something. Many fans thought it was his knee.
Did I hear that right at 0:18…
Justin Gaethje: “Are you alright?”
Kamaru Usman: “No, something popped” https://t.co/gJDEod9IbT— Shakiel Mahjouri (@Shak_Fu) October 18, 2023
This news spread like wildfire on social media. Usman is already a replacement for Paulo Costa in the Middleweight bout against Chimaev. Costa was scheduled to face Chimaev at UFC 294. However, he had to be pulled out because the Brazilian suffered a gruesome infection on his elbow. He had surgery on his elbow too close to the fight and could not recover in time.
Usman offered to move up from Welterweight and agreed to face Chimaev at Middleweight on very short notice. An injury to Usman would definitely see the bout canceled. However, Gaethje himself explained that Usman is fine.
He said I’m good or something like that. I thought he hit his head on the mat. I asked him if he hit his head in this clip when we got up and he said no 👊
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) October 18, 2023
Gaethje wrote, “He said I’m good or something like that. I thought he hit his head on the mat. I asked him if he hit his head in this clip when we got up and he said no.”
This is why no one reads this shitty ass blog. At what point while I was lightly drilling did you hear me say that to Justin. Stop with the clickbait you idiots 🙄🙄
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) October 18, 2023
Usman also responded in an angered manner. He wrote, “This is why no one reads this sh*tty a*s blog. At what point while I was lightly drilling did you hear me say that to Justin. Stop with the clickbait you idiots.”
Kamaru Usman credits Khamzat Chimaev’s abilities before their Middleweight bout at UFC 294
Usman was all praise for his opponent Chimaev before the fight. He claimed that Chimaev is as he is advertised – a great fighter.
“I think he’s as advertised,” Usman told the reporters during a UFC 294 press conference. “He’s very tough, he’s big, he could strike, he could wrestle, he can grapple, he can do it all. So can I. I think he’s as advertised, but you don’t know until you know.”
The American fighter, however, did not go out without referencing what Chimaev said. The Russian-born fighter previously said that Usman and he are similar fighters but he is a newer version. Chimaev compared them to iPhones and said that he is the new one.
Usman responded, “Ignorance is bliss sometimes. I give him all the props in the world. He’s definitely done everything he needed to do with what he’s been presented with, but iPhone Pros don’t fit in certain pockets. You might need just a regular iPhone. They both take good pictures, and they both work just fine.”
Usman will face Chimaev at UFC 294 on October 21, 2023. It is reported that the winner of the fight will get a shot at the title against Sean Strickland.