Nigerian Mixed Martial Artist Kamaru Usman is set to face Sweden’s Khamzat Chimaev in the co-main event of UFC 294, which is scheduled to occur on October 21, 2023, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The last-minute substitution was announced by UFC President Dana White through the championship’s social media channels on Wednesday evening.
Originally, Usman, also known as the Nigerian Nightmare, was not part of the UFC 294 fight card. The event was initially planned to feature Chimaev against Brazil’s Paulo Costa.
However, following pre-fight assessments, Costa was ruled out due to an elbow injury, paving the way for Usman to step in. Usman competes in the welterweight division and will need to make weight within the next ten days to fight Chimaev, who competes in the middleweight class.
The Edo-born mixed martial artist has been impressive since joining the UFC in 2015, amassing a 19-match winning streak that led to him capturing the welterweight title.
His reign as champion came to an end on August 20, 2022, when Britain’s Leon Edwards secured a knockout victory with a head kick in the final minute of round 5. This defeat marked the conclusion of Usman’s 19-fight winning streak that spanned over nine years.
Since his loss to Leon Edwards in a rematch on March 19, 2023, Usman has not competed in any in-ring matches.