By Daniel Edu
Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman faced his third consecutive UFC defeat as he clashed with the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight showdown at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi this past Saturday, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
Chimaev extended his unbeaten streak to 13-0 with a majority decision victory over the Nigerian at UFC 294. The fight began with Chimaev aggressively pursuing a single-leg takedown right from the start. While Usman initially defended well, Chimaev’s persistence paid off as he managed to bring the Nigerian Nightmare to the ground.
Once on the canvas, Chimaev dominated most of the round, maintaining control and threatening with submission attempts. The second round unfolded at a slower pace, with Chimaev opting to engage in a more deliberate kickboxing bout rather than pressing the wrestling. He did secure a takedown in the final 30 seconds of the round but didn’t capitalize on it.
This set the stage for a crucial third and final round. Usman initiated a strong rally, asserting control over the distance and landing solid boxing shots. However, his momentum was abruptly halted when Chimaev changed levels and executed a double-leg takedown.
Usman managed to get back on his feet in the final 30 seconds, and both fighters vied to make their case for victory with an impressive display on their feet.
Usman is now on a three-fight losing streak, with two of those losses coming at the hands of Leon Edwards. It’s important to note that Usman had an impressive five consecutive title defenses at welterweight before this losing streak.
Originally, Chimaev was scheduled to face Paulo Costa in this spot. However, Costa withdrew from the fight due to an elbow injury, and Usman stepped in on just 10 days’ notice, requiring him to gain weight in a short period.
With this win over the former champion, Chimaev is now in a strong position to contend for UFC gold. Dana White recently confirmed this in an interview on The Pat McAfee Show, stating, “That is an absolute fact. The fact that these guys are taking this fight on short notice, (the winner) will get the next shot at the title barring injuries and other things that can possibly happen.”
The middleweight division has witnessed significant upheaval recently with Israel Adesanya’s unexpected loss to Sean Strickland. Adesanya had been the dominant champion, with the exception of a loss to Alex Pereira. However, the landscape has changed, and Strickland now faces a different challenge with Chimaev on the horizon.
