The 22nd of October was as eventful as it could get for combat sports. As the curtains closed on UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, it saw one of the most nail-biting matchups this year. In a hastily put-together fight, middleweight fighters, Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev clashed in the octagon to only see the latter establish his dominance through a majority decision.

A much-feared fighter in the MMA circles, Chimaev did not glide to victory. Giving him good competition was his opponent. Usman had climbed the bandwagon of this Etihad Arena fight with just a 2-week notice. While no one can take away the victory that Chimaev so ferociously earned for himself, the combat world has resounded heavily in awe of Usman. Joining the voices now is the legendary coach, Teddy Atlas. 

Teddy Atlas sees a champion in Kamaru Usman

There is a consensus that percolates deeper into the sport of combat today. Beyond wins and losses stands a premise that defines the spirit of the sport. To fight, and never let the game die. When Usman took up the fight against Chimaev at the last moment, not only did he save Dana White’s day, but he also defined what a true fighter does: take the fight when and how it comes.

Despite his failure to conquer the octagon last night, he managed to win the hearts of people all over the globe for his spirit that pushes the boundary of MMA fighting. And recognizing this is Mike Tyson’s former coach, Atlas.

Taking to X, he wrote, “If we didn’t already know, Usman just reminded us why he was a Champion. Great effort surviving & winning spots.” He added, “And speaking of Champions, Chimaev just spoke like one. We already knew he can fight like one.”

Two judges scored the fight in favor of Chimaev with scores of 29-27. However, the third judge scored it a draw at 28-28, possibly rewarding Usman for the fight he put up last night.

In a similar fashion, Atlas had things to say about Volkanovski – Makhachev as well

Joining Usman vs Chimaev in the headlines was another fight of the same fate, Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski. However, Volkanovski, like Usman, did not spend his season in any anticipation of a second fight against Makhachev. But when Charles Oliveira excused himself from the fight owing to his injury, ‘Volk’ stepped in to keep the show going.

Joining the headliner with a notice of just 10 days, the fighter won the respect of the realm despite not having registered a victory. Islam Makhachev won over him through a knockout. Commending Volk for taking this fight at such short notice, Atlas said, “if it was anyone else but Volkanovski taking on this beast on short notice I’d say no chance. Let’s Go!” He continued, “Yes u have concerns for what Volkanovski is physically, but it’s the mental department that sets him apart.”

Also Read: Dana White Snubs Team Khabib to Decide Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje’s Demands as Islam Makhachev Wants an Opponent Post-UFC 294

This was not the first time the two fighters faced off each other. At the UFC 284 this year, a similar story went down when Islam Makhachev won over Volk through a decision. The common link between Usman and Volk remains their unwavering effort to keep the MMA world going without any disruptions. Despite their losses last night, they won the realm. And that goes down for the books.

What do you think of their impromptu fights? Let us know in the comments section below.

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