Kamaru Usman News

Susan Cox - October 18, 2023

Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman appeared to cut short his UFC 294 open workout after ‘something popped’ in his knee. UFC 294 takes place this coming Saturday, October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Cole Shelton - October 18, 2023

In the co-main event of UFC 294, Kamaru Usman stepped up on less than two weeks’ notice to face Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight. Heading into the fight, Usman is a +220 underdog while the undefeated fighter is a -295 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, which was made on less than two weeks’ notice, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are leaning towards Chimaev getting the job done, however, some do think Usman can pull off the upset even though he’s fighting on very short notice and up a weight class.

Harry Kettle - October 17, 2023

Darren Till has given his thoughts on what will go down when Kamaru Usman takes on Khamzat Chimaev this weekend. On Saturday night, aKhamzat Chimaev will battle Kamaru Usman in the co-main event of UFC 294. ‘Borz’ was initially supposed to battle Paulo Costa, only for the Brazilian to pull out due to injury. Now, he’ll take on Usman, in a match-up that many have been waiting to see for quite some time.

Harry Kettle - October 17, 2023

Alexander Volkanovski has given his thoughts on the UFC 294 showdown between Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev. This weekend, Kamaru Usman will battle Khamzat Chimaev in a fight that many have been waiting a long time to see. Chimaev is one of the biggest rising stars in the promotion, whereas Usman is a former champion who has a lot to prove after two losses to Leon Edwards. It’s going to serve as a huge task for both men, especially given that it’s only been booked for less than a week as a result of Paulo Costa having to pull out.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 15, 2023

Kamaru Usman is fired up ahead of his short-notice UFC 294 fight against Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev was expecting to share the Octagon with Paulo Costa on October 21 in Abu Dhabi. Costa’s elbow surgery flushed those plans down the toilet. The good news for fight fans is that a more than worthy adversary has stepped up in former UFC welterweight champion Usman.

Harry Kettle - October 13, 2023

Khamzat Chimaev has shared some of his training footage ahead of his fight against Kamaru Usman next weekend. Next Saturday night at UFC 294, Khamzat Chimaev will battle Kamaru Usman. He was initially scheduled to take on Paulo Costa, however, an injury ruled the Brazilian out of the bout. Now, Usman is stepping up to the plate as he attempts to get back on the winning trail following consecutive losses to Leon Edwards at welterweight.

Josh Evanoff - October 12, 2023

UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal is admittedly disappointed by Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman. ‘Borz’ was scheduled to face Paulo Costa at UFC 294 later this month on pay-per-view. The fight was set to be Khamzat Chimaev’s first in over a year, submitting Kevin Holland last September. However, as many fans are likely aware, the Brazilian was forced out of action due to an elbow injury.

Cole Shelton - October 11, 2023

The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi next Saturday for UFC 294 and the card has changed quite a bit, but Islam Makhachev will remain atop the bill. Makhachev was originally supposed to defend his lightweight title at UFC 294 in a rematch against Charles Oliveira. The co-main event was supposed to be a middleweight fight between Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev. However, in the past 24 hours, it was revealed that Makhachev will now be rematching Alexander Volkanovski in the main event for the lightweight title. Also, in the co-main event, Kamaru Usman has replaced Paulo Costa and will now face Khamzat Chimaev.

Cole Shelton - October 11, 2023

UFC CEO Dana White has announced that Kamaru Usman will fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. On Tuesday after the Contender Series, White said it was a possibility the fight was off. Now, after Costa confirmed on social media he was out of the fight, the UFC CEO took to Instagram to announce that Usman will be the replacement opponent for the Brazilian and face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 next Saturday.

Harry Kettle - September 14, 2023

Kamaru Usman has offered some advice to Israel Adesanya following his shocking loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293. Last weekend at UFC 293, Israel Adesanya was beaten by Sean Strickland. It served as a huge upset, with Strickland taking home the UFC middleweight championship as a result of his triumph. In terms of what’s next, nobody really knows for sure, but the popular opinion is that ‘Stylebender’ will receive an immediate rematch at some stage.

Josh Evanoff - September 13, 2023

Kamaru Usman believes that Francis Ngannou will be competitive against Tyson Fury in his boxing debut. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ and ‘The Predator’ have been friends for years now. While Kamaru Usman has previously even helped coach Francis Ngannou, one has to imagine that he’s been replaced by Mike Tyson for this one. In October, the former heavyweight champion will face Tyson Fury.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 13, 2023

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman believes he shouldn’t have rushed fighting Leon Edwards a third time. Usman looked dominant during his run as the 170-pound kingpin. He defeated the likes of Tyron Woodley, Gilbert Burns, Colby Covington (twice), and Jorge Masvidal (twice). On August 20, 2022, Usman was well on his way to securing his sixth successful UFC welterweight title defense when a late head kick from Leon Edwards ended the championship run.

Susan Cox - August 2, 2023

Kamaru Usman is naming the only opponent ‘that even makes sense’ for him to fight next. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ (20-3 MMA) has not stepped foot in the Octagon since his back-to-back losses against Leon Edwards (21-3 MMA) at UFC  278 in August of 2022 and again at UFC 286 in March of this year.

Josh Evanoff - July 25, 2023

Almost four years on from his UFC 245 loss to Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington still blames Marc Goddard. ‘Chaos’ is currently on the sidelines, waiting for his fight with Leon Edwards to be booked. Last defeating Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272 last March, the potential title shot has been controversial. However, Dana White has been steadfast in booking Colby Covington vs. ‘Rocky’ later this year.

Josh Evanoff - July 21, 2023

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman recently got some work with Odell Beckham Jr. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ has been out of action since his trilogy bout with Leon Edwards in March. The two headlined UFC 286 in London, as the British fighter ended the rivalry by unanimous decision. The defeat was the second in a row for Kamaru Usman, previously losing to ‘Rocky’ by knockout last August.

Harry Kettle - July 10, 2023

Khamzat Chimaev has responded to Kamaru Usman as the two continue to tease the idea of a fight against one another. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Khamzat Chimaev inside the Octagon. ‘Borz’ has been one of the most intimidating fighters on the roster since making his debut, and he has his eyes set on UFC gold. Recently, he’s been heavily linked with a bout against Kamaru Usman, who recently lost back-to-back fights against Leon Edwards.

Zain Bando - June 10, 2023

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-3 MMA) won’t be challenging Khamzat Chimaev (12-0 MMA) in his next fight, regardless of weight class, according to Dana White. The UFC President discussed the rumored fight in a recent interview with Aaron Bronsteter of TSN ahead of UFC 289 Saturday night.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 26, 2023

Anthony Smith believes it could be tough sledding for Kamaru Usman in a showdown with Khamzat Chimaev. Usman, the former UFC Welterweight Champion, has been calling to fight Chimaev. “Borz” has responded, also expressing his desire for the matchup. The initial holdup appears to have been Usman wanting to make it a catchweight fight. With that said, UFC President Dana White insists “The Nigerian Nightmare” is pounding the table for the match.