Kamaru Usman has had a tough go of things in the past few years. Having lost his undisputed title to Leon Edwards through a miracle Hail Mary head kick in 2022, things kept spiraling downward. As such, he now finds himself on a three-fight losing skid, an unthinkable situation for a fighter of his caliber.
Following his loss to Leon Edwards the first time, Kamaru would then lose a second time at UFC 286, by way of a Majority decision. Naturally, it was a big moment for the fighter as he never found himself in a situation such as this. As a result, there were conversations about him potentially moving up to middleweight as well.
Your new #UFC294 co-main is a BANGER 🔥@Usman84KG vs @KChimaev is official for next Saturday!
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— UFC (@ufc) October 11, 2023
As it turns out, Kamaru would soon have his opportunity and earlier than expected. After Paulo Costa was deemed unfit for his fight against UFC 294, Usman was brought in to face Khamzat Chimaev on less than two weeks’ notice. Alongside Alexander Volkanovski, the former welterweight champ would be attempting a great challenge.
How did Kamaru Usman vs Khamzat Chimaev play out at UFC 294?
For the most part, Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev was a fight that was meant to happen either way. Had Usman emerged victorious against Leon Edwards, that would possibly have been the fight to make. With that said, it was always been deemed a difficult one considering Khamzat’s problems making 170 lbs.
With that said, Usman’s willingness to step in on short notice was deemed heroic and pure championship stuff. Despite a last-ditch camp and only nine days to prepare, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ showed up ready to fight. Going into the fight, many recognized his durability but hardly gave him a prayer against the frightening ‘Borz’. However, on the night, Kamaru defied all expectations.
#UFC294 Official Scorecard: Kamaru Usman vs Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev)
Complete Scorecards: https://t.co/b9WjWPOLEF
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— UFC News (@UFCNews) October 21, 2023
Although Chimaev had been made to look human by Gilbert Burns in the past, it would have been a difficult task at his natural weight class. On the night, Usman took the fight to his opponent, despite getting taken down four times and staving off a submission attempt. By the end, Kamaru lost a majority decision, despite managing to land some great shots, with many feeling that he could have won, had it been a five-round contest.
Kamaru Usman reveals what it was like to face Khamzat Chimaev
Naturally, walking away after the fight, it was clear that Kamaru Usman felt as though he could have done a lot more. Owing to the hot streak Chimaev was on, he had built up as this unbeatable boogeyman, who simply mauls and destroys his opponents. However, as Kamaru recently revealed, that is simply not the case with the fighter.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Henry Cejudo and Chael Sonnen, Usman revealed: “You build him up in your head, then you get in there and you go ‘That wasn’t special’. There was nothing different that I haven’t seen”. Further, Kamaru added, “Had I given it a little bit more, had I given myself a little more credit, that would’ve been totally different.”
Looking back, the 36-year-old has often claimed that he regrets not taking the option of 5 rounds, as initially offered. Due to his sudden move up, he assumed that a three-rounder would be better suited to him. Despite this, Usman made a slower start than usual, with his body still used to the 5 round contests. As such, it is likely what set him back on the scorecards and most definitely what cost him the fight.
Since then, the fans have been clamoring for a rematch and both Kamaru Usman and Chimaev seem very willing as well. Although many seem to believe that Usman would have won the first time around, things could be much different in the rematch considering both fighters are now aware of how the other reacts to them. Either way, it could make for an enthralling contest, later down the year.