Khamzat Chimaev closing as decent betting favorite to defeat Kamaru Usman in UFC 294 fight

Khamzat Chimaev closing as betting favorite to beat Kamaru Usman at UFC 294Part of a massive reshuffle to this weekend’s UFC 294 card in Abu Dhabi, UAE, event co-headliner, Khamzat Chimaev…

Khamzat Chimaev closing as betting favorite to beat Kamaru Usman at UFC 294

Part of a massive reshuffle to this weekend’s UFC 294 card in Abu Dhabi, UAE, event co-headliner, Khamzat Chimaev is closing as a sizeable betting favorite to defeat former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman in their title-eliminator this weekend in the Middle East.

Boasting an undefeated 12-0 professional record, Chechen-born contender, Chimaev has been sidelined since he again co-headlined UFC 279 back in September of last year, submitting Kevin Holland with a first round D’Arce choke submission victory.

Chimaev was scheduled to headline that pay-per-view event, however, missed weight by seven and a half pounds for a welterweight fight with promotional alum and former title challenger, Nate Diaz – resulting in the bout’s scrapping.

As a result, Chimaev met Holland on just days’ notice in a catchweight clash, racking up a first round D’Arce choke submission win.

And seeing a slated co-main event with one-time title challenger, Paulo Costa fall to the wayside just 10 days’ out from UFC 294, after the Brazilian contracted a bursitis infection in his elbow, requiring three surgical procedures to address. 

Khamzat Chimaev closing as betting favorite ahead of UFC 294 return

Subsequently, Chimaev will now square-off against former pound-for-pound number one, Usman – and having opened as a sizeable betting favorite to defeat the Nigerian, Khamzat Chimaev is closing as a decent -290 betting favorite to defeat the +235 former champion, who is closing as a betting underdog. 

A host of markets and bookies are still taking action on UFC 294 this weekend, including https://syndicate-casino.co.nz/ – with many still offering both prop and outright winner bets on Khamzat Chimaev’s anticipated return to the Octagon against former champion, Kamaru Usman.

Attempting to snap a two-fight losing skid in his middleweight divisional bow against the undefeated, Chimaev, ONX Labs trainee and Trevor Wittman student, Usman – has lost two consecutive title fights against Leon Edwards heading into his short-notice return at UFC 294

In August of last year, then-pound-for-pound number one, Usman saw his spectacular championship run at the welterweight limit come to a crashing end via a thunderous, rallying fifth round high-kick knockout loss to the Birmingham native in the pair’s championship rematch.

And in a trilogy rubber match for the welterweight strap back in March, Usman, will will bring both Wittman, and Kill Cliff FC ace coach, Henri Hooft with him to Abu Dhabi for his fight with Chiamev, dropped a close, contentious majority decision loss to Edwards in front of a hostile, partizan crowd at UFC 286 in London, England. 

Revealing how his clash with Khamzat Chimaev came about earlier this week, Usman also announced plans to strike gold at both middleweight and welterweight before calling time on his career

“It’s a no-brainer because there’s just that element of story there, it’s built-in,” Kamaru Usman said. “Sean Strickland is champion, I’ve already taken care of him, not to say he’s not better, he is. But I’ve got a mountain in front of me that I’ve got to scale and climb, so let’s get through that fight then worry about what’s next. But it’s a no-brainer.”

“I might just mic-drop,” Kamaru Usman explained. “Grab the middleweight belt, go down, grab the welterweight belt, then mic-drop. What a way to go out, though? I want both. I’ve always wanted champ-champ (status), but what a way – to go get the top one, then come back down and get – no one’s ever done that. That would be crazy.” 

Who wins in the Middle East: Khamzat Chimaev or Kamaru Usman?

Khamzat Chimaev brands himself new version of Kamaru Usman ahead of UFC 294: ‘He’s like iPhone 5, I’m iPhone Pro’

Khamzat Chimaev describes himself as new Kamaru Usman he's like iPhone 5 and I'm iPhone ProAhead of his upcoming return to the Octagon at UFC 294 this weekend in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the undefeated…

Khamzat Chimaev describes himself as new Kamaru Usman he's like iPhone 5 and I'm iPhone Pro

Ahead of his upcoming return to the Octagon at UFC 294 this weekend in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev has described himself as a newer version of incoming opponent and former champion, Kamaru Usman, using an analogy of software between iPhone models to boot.

Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he co-headlined UFC 279 back in September of last year, submitting Kevin Holland with a first round D’Arce choke submission win in a reshuffled catchweight clash.

Making his middleweight division return this weekend against Usman following the cancellation of a bout with long-time rival and one-time division title challenger, Paulo Costa, Chimaev bids to improve his undefeated record to 13-0 – and take home the biggest scalp of his Octagon tenure yet.

Long-linked with a fight against former pound-for-pound number one, Usman, Chimaev and the Auchi native will vie to square-off with incumbent middleweight champion, Sean Strickland off the back of UFC 294 – with organizational CEO, Dana White slapping the billing of an official title-eliminator on the scrap.

Khamzat Chimaev describes himself as new version of Kamaru Usman

Sharing is thoughts on the matchup with Usman, who previously claimed that Chimaev’s “bubble” is sure to burst at some time, the Chechen claimed that a bout between the duo was always going to occur, as he envisions himself as a new and improved version of the ex-champion.

“Yeah, of course, because since day one, when I get to the UFC, everyone spoke about Khamzat (versus) Usman, Khamzat (versus) Usman, our wrestling skills, our striking, all of these things, you know,” Khamzat Chimaev told assembled media during his availability ahead of UFC 294. “Usman is like a fighter like me. But, he’s old version, I’m new, you know. He’s like different – you know, like iPhones come out, he’s like iPhone 5, and I’m like the [iPhone] Pro. It’s different, so, yeah.” 

Who wins at UFC 294: Khamzat Chimaev or Kamaru Usman?

Khamzat Chimaev releases a line of perfumes ahead of his UFC 294 clash with Kamaru Usman

Khamzat ChimaevDo you ever feel… not so smesh? If so, Khamzat Chimaev has the product for you. On Saturday, October 21, ‘Borz’ will return to the Octagon more than a year removed from his last outing. Originally scheduled to face one-time middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa in the UFC 294 co-main event, a last-minute shake-up will […]

Khamzat Chimaev

Do you ever feel… not so smesh? If so, Khamzat Chimaev has the product for you.

On Saturday, October 21, ‘Borz’ will return to the Octagon more than a year removed from his last outing. Originally scheduled to face one-time middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa in the UFC 294 co-main event, a last-minute shake-up will see the Chechen monster meet the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ and former welterweight world champion, Kamaru Usman.

But first, Chimaev is dropping his own line of fragrances which you can buy just in time to smell like the man himself come fight night.

“Now you can buy the official Khamzat perfume,” Chimaev says in a video promoting the fragrance. “The first drop is only 5,000 pieces.”

Khamzat Chimaev Introduces Two Frangrances in His New Line of Perfumes

According to the website Superz.com, there are two different options available, the first being Khamzat-Smesh.

“The well-known word “Smesh” is used by Khamzat before his fights, and when this word is uttered, Khamzat’s boundless and astonishing dominance emerges, something that viewers may have never seen in the history of MMA,” the description reads. “The perfume was created in exactly the same way, extremely stylish and dominant. A scent that gives you immense power to achieve your goals. This fragrance contains cedarwood and spicy notes to keep the fire burning in you. Vanilla and tonka bean notes add to its allure, while the blood orange gives it a truly explosive character.”

If spicy notes aren’t your thing, perhaps you’ll want to try out Chimaev’s other fierce fragrance entitled Khamzat-The Wolf.

“Extraordinary people deserve extraordinary fragrances. Our fragrance “The Wolf” perfectly represents this. It exudes unwavering focus and masculinity, thanks to its woody and leathery notes. Highly motivated individuals share the same characteristic as the everlasting saffron essence, and are as unique as the astonishing blend of cardamom and musk. This is an incredibly persistent scent that embodies the feeling of invincibility.”

A 50ml bottle will set you back a cool €144.00 EUR, or roughly $150.00 USD. If that’s a little steep, you can always opt for the 6ml option which will run €72.00 EUR, or $75.00 USD.

Kamaru Usman speaks on his short-Notice Khamzat Chimaev fight: ‘He has everything, but so do I’

Kamaru UsmanFormer UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is optimistic leading into his short-notice fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. The veteran has seemingly seen it all at this point and recognizes that the confidence that comes with being undefeated can be snatched away in the blink of an eye. Originally slated to be facing Paulo […]

Kamaru Usman

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is optimistic leading into his short-notice fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. The veteran has seemingly seen it all at this point and recognizes that the confidence that comes with being undefeated can be snatched away in the blink of an eye.

Originally slated to be facing Paulo Costa in Abu Dhabi on October 21st, a surgical operation that Costa needed has forced him to withdraw from the fight. However, miraculously, fans have now been gifted with a fight just as compelling if not even more so than the originally scheduled matchup.

Kamaru Usman is not stepping up on short notice to fight a beast like Chimaev for just money, though. The former welterweight champion has a chance to become next in line for a shot at the middleweight title, per Dana White to Yahoo! Sports. White told Pat McAfee on The Pat McAfee Show that this fight would in fact be a title eliminator bout. Either fighter here stands the chance to solidify themselves as the number one contender, and for Usman especially: this would be a gigantic moment in his rapidly aging career.

From losing the welterweight title to Leon Edwards at the hands of a vicious knockout, and even losing in the rematch; to capturing a middleweight title shot and possibly the belt as well. This would give Usman the perfect way to go out, and it couldn’t come at any more of a perfect time with Usman’s close friend Israel Adesanya no longer holding the middleweight throne.

Kamaru Usman is highly confident leading into the short-notice Khamzat Chimaev fight

In an interview with TMZ Sports, Kamaru Usman discussed this short-notice fight and the fact that Chimaev’s streak could end in an instant. “He’s very skilled. He’s strong, he’s big. He’s fast, he can wrestle, he can grapple, he can strike. He has everything,” Usman began (H/T BJ PENN.com), “But so do I.”

“At the end of the day, we’re all human beings,” the former welterweight champion continued. “Everyone feels invincible until someone pokes that balloon. I mean, it’s a no-brainer. I’ve got a mountain in front of me that I have to scale. We’ll get through that first and then we’ll worry about what’s next.”

How do you think a fight between Sean Strickland and Kamaru Usman or Khamzat Chimaev would look?

Kamaru Usman details how mega fight with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 got made: ‘No one talked me out of it’

Kamaru Usman details how fight with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 made no one talked me out of itSet to make an impromptu return to the Octagon next weekend in the co-main event of UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE – former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman has detailed how exactly his blockbuster middleweight debut against the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev came to fruition as he prepares to jet out to the Middle East. […]

Kamaru Usman details how fight with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 made no one talked me out of it

Set to make an impromptu return to the Octagon next weekend in the co-main event of UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE – former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman has detailed how exactly his blockbuster middleweight debut against the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev came to fruition as he prepares to jet out to the Middle East.

Usman, a former undisputed welterweight champion under the banner of the UFC and former pound-for-pound number one fighter on the promotion’s books, has been sidelined from the Octagon since suffering a trilogy rubber-match loss to Leon Edwards in a majority decision title fight defeat at UFC 286 back in March.

Initially announcing plans for a quickfire comeback to the sport following his decider loss to Edwards, Auchi native, Usman suggested a catchweight fight with the aforementioned, Chimaev in his return to the Octagon.

Instead, the promotion would book the Chechen-born finisher against former middleweight title chaser, Paulo Costa in the co-main event of UFC 294 at the Etihad Arena.

And following the fallout of a lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira, the latter’s compatriot, Costa was also forced off the billing, through a nasty bursitis infection in his elbow. 

Kamaru Usman shares how fight with Khamzat Chimaev came about

As a result, the above-mentioned matchup of Usman and Chimaev has been added to UFC 294 on short-notice – with the former champion detailing how the matchup actually came to fruition just 10 days’ out.

“I’m excited right now about maybe winning the jackpot of a billion dollars in the lottery, you know,” Kamaru Usman told TMZ. “So, I’m excited. And I’m like, okay, let’s – first and foremost I always – I call my coaches and I throw the idea at them. And, no one talked me out of it.”

“So, I’m like, okay. I said, let me sleep on it,” Kamaru Usman explained. “‘Cause I don’t want to be hasty and do something unintelligent, so let me sleep on it. And I woke up the next day with let’s get ready. So I texted Ali (Abdelaziz) and said, ‘Let’s do this.’” 

Who wins at UFC 294 next week: Kamaru Usman or Khamzat Chimaev?

Bo Nickal ‘Disappointed’ to miss UFC 294 fight with Khamzat Chimaev: ‘They don’t want me to smash their boy’

Bo Nickal disappointed to miss UFC 294 fight with Khamzat Chimaev they don't want me to smash their boyUndefeated wrestling ace, Bo Nickal has revealed he never received any contact from promotional brass regarding a potential slot-in, short-notice fight with Khamzat Chimaev next weekend at UFC 294 – claiming he would likely have “smashed” the Chechen-born finisher with ease. Nickal, a decorated amateur record, boasts an unbeaten 5-0 professional wrestler, landing a pair […]

Bo Nickal disappointed to miss UFC 294 fight with Khamzat Chimaev they don't want me to smash their boy

Undefeated wrestling ace, Bo Nickal has revealed he never received any contact from promotional brass regarding a potential slot-in, short-notice fight with Khamzat Chimaev next weekend at UFC 294 – claiming he would likely have “smashed” the Chechen-born finisher with ease.

Nickal, a decorated amateur record, boasts an unbeaten 5-0 professional wrestler, landing a pair of consecutive stoppage victories in two middleweight outings since landing in the UFC back in March of this year.

A product of Dana White’s Contender Series amid a pair of outings on the show, Nickal debuted with a first round arm-triangle submission win over Jamie Pickett, before stopping short-notice replacement Val Woodburn with a thunderous opening round TKO inside just 38 seconds back in July at UFC 290 during International Fight Week. 

Requiring a replacement opponent ahead of his UFC 294 return next weekend in a co-headliner, Chimaev was originally slated to fight one-time title challenger, Paulo Costa, however, a bursitis infection ruled the Brazilian from the bout.

In place of Costa came former undisputed welterweight champion and former pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman – who makes his first outing at the middleweight limit, following a title fight loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 286 back in March. 

Bo Nickal reveals no fight offer to meet Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294

However, despite calls from some fans for Chimaev to take on the above-mentioned Colorado uber-prospect, Nickal on just 10 days’ notice, the latter has revealed the UFC never approached him with an offer to fight the undefeated finisher.

“I was a little disappointed they [the UFC] didn’t ask me [to fight Khamzat Chimaev],” Bo Nickal said on his YouTube channel. “They didn’t ask me to step in there. I was expected at least an ask like, ‘Hey, do you want to do this?’ But no, just nothing. Nothing from the UFC, so it is what it is.”

“I’m guessing that they didn’t want me to roll over into Abu Dhabi on like 10 days’ notice and smash their boy in front of his home crowd or something,” Bo Nickal explained. “That’s a fight that needs to have a proper buildup and whatnot, so I get that. It was just interesting to me because I probably got today – I don’t even know how many comments and DMs and this and that.” 

Would you like to see Bo Nickal fight Khamzat Chimaev in the future?