UFC 294: Khamzat Chimaev Will Face Kamaru Usman After Paulo Costa Pulls Out
In today’s MMA news, Dana White has confirmed that Kamaru Usman will face Khamzat Chimaev on October 21st, 2023, at UFC 294.
According to reports, Paulo Costa was initially set to compete against Khamzat Chimaev. However, Costa was ruled out of the bout after not being medically well enough to compete as a result of an Staphylococcus infection. Instead, Chimaev will take on Usman who has decided to take the challenge with less than two weeks to go.
Costa Speaks Out
“This message goes to my fans. Unfortunately, I am hospitalised and had to do a second surgery yesterday. According to doctors, a third surgery will be necessary on Friday. So, I will not be medically cleared to fight on October 21st. The Abu Dhabi card still amazing I’m not happy but that’s it. I will be back before end 2023,” Costa said
“He’s trying to fight in any way. That’s what he wants. Right now, he needs to recover and make sure the infection will not come back,” Alves said
White On The New Card
ARE YOU SHITTIN ME?!
Can’t wait to get to Abu Dhabi!!!! @ufc @USMAN84kg @KChimaev @alexvolkanovski @MAKHACHEVMMA #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/AAVPRpXeRI
— danawhite (@danawhite) October 11, 2023
“Now you’ve been waiting for the co-main event. Costa’s hurt…we got it done. The No. 4 welterweight in the world, Khamzat Chimaev, is moving up to middleweight and he will face the No. 1 welterweight in the world: Kamaru Usman. No. 1 vs No. 4 at middleweight, Usman vs Chimaev. I will see you in Abu Dhabi,” White
Ultimately, the card has been changed to give Usman a shot. But whether he can stop his recent losing streak is anyone’s guess. Time will tell.
Full Card
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski
Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker
Said Nurmagomedov vs. Muin Gafurov
Ikram Aliskerov vs. Warlley Alves
Tim Elliott vs. Muhammad Mokaev
Sedriques Dumas vs. Abu Azaitar
Jinh Yu Frey vs. Victoria Dudakova
Bruno Silva vs. Sharabutdin Magomedov
Mohammad Yahya vs. Trevor Peek
Anshul Jubli vs. Mike Breeden
Javid Basharat vs. Victor Henry
Nathaniel Wood vs. Muhammad Naimov
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