“Smash Em”- Despite Being Initially Reluctant About Kamaru Usman vs Khamzat Chimaev Fight, Dana White Switches His Stance on UFC 294 Bout

Kamaru Usman had called out Khamzat Chimaev earlier this year for a welterweight bout. However, the Chechen, who had moved to the middleweight division, threw the challenge back at Usman and called him out for a fight at middleweight. Neither man was willing to budge, however, and the fight seemed dead on arrival.

Add to that UFC boss Dana White clarifying that the UFC had other plans for both men, seemingly closing the door on the bout. Until a few days ago, when a series of unfortunate events somehow saw all the stakeholders agree to it. The UFC delighted fans by announcing Chimaev vs. Usman as the new co-main event for UFC 294.

Dana White’s prediction for the Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman

Dana White spoke to the media about the prospects of the Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev middleweight bout. For the co-main event of UFC 294 on October 21 in Abu Dhabi, Khamzat Chimaev was supposed to face Brazilian Paulo Costa. However, the Brazilian was forced to pull out due to an elbow surgery. As he had to undergo after contracting a bad case of staph infection.

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White was asked how he saw the bout going by reporters. He said excited for the bout. White further pointed out that Usman had one of the best takedown defenses in the history of the UFC. He contrasted this with ‘Borz’s preferred style of fighting, which relies more on taking his opponents to the ground and proceeding to ground-and-pound them.

He predicted that their fight would be a mostly stand-up affair, with both men involved in an exciting brawl. The winner of their middleweight bout will get a shot at the middleweight title against Sean Strickland as White clarified earlier.

“Usman has like a 93 point something takedown defense rate, the highest in the welterweight division of all time. Khamzat likes to take people down and smash them that. You know, because of both of their wrestling, this probably ends up being a standup war. It’s a fun fight, very fun fight,” White said.

UFC elevates UFC 294 despite setbacks

The main event for UFC 294 was in jeopardy as well. Charles Oliveira was supposed to rematch Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title but got injured during practice and pulled out. The UFC, in a masterstroke, roped in featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski less than two weeks out from the UAE card.

The Aussie and the Dagestani had an exciting fight at UFC 284 in February this year, which Makhachev won. And their rematch was perhaps the most awaited bout for UFC fans. ‘Volk’ will have another shot at making history and becoming only the sixth double-champion in the history of the UFC. Makhachev will have the opportunity to shut down critics who felt the Aussie had won their first bout. The UFC, despite the adverse circumstances, has made the card even better than it originally was, pleasing fans everywhere. What are your predictions for UFC 294? Tell us in the comments section below.

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