ABU DHABI – Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev got one last look at each other before sharing the octagon at UFC 294 during ceremonial weigh-ins.
Former welterweight champion Usman (20-3 MMA, 15-2 UFC) and unbeaten rising contender Chimaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) will meet in a high-stakes middleweight bout in Saturday’s pay-per-view co-main event, which follows prelims on ESPN+ and YouTube from Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
After Usman stepped in on 10 days’ notice to replace the injured Paulo Costa, UFC CEO Dana White raised the stakes on fight week when he confirmed the winner of the matchup with Chimaev will get the next shot at 185-pound titleholder Sean Strickland.
First, though, they had to engage in a final staredown, and the passion from both sides was clear as they wait to be unleashed in the octagon.
For the next 185-pound title shot: Former champ Kamaru Usman faces off with unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev for the final time before #UFC294. pic.twitter.com/O389iAuZCC
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 20, 2023
Check out the video above to see Usman and Chimaev face off at UFC 294 ceremonial weigh-ins.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.
