ABU DHABI – Khamzat Chimaev wasn’t having Dana White’s defense of Paulo Costa’s UFC 294 withdrawal.
Chimaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) was originally scheduled to face Costa in Saturday’s UFC 294 co-main event at Etihad Arena, but Costa was forced out due to staph infection in his elbow. Stepping in on short notice will be former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-3 MMA, 15-2 UFC).
Chimaev and Costa’s rivalry has been brewing for months, but they won’t get to settle their score just yet. Chimaev ripped Costa (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) for pulling out of the fight.