Tag: UFC 294

Kamaru Usman brands himself ‘Nightmare’ title fight for Sean Strickland ahead of UFC 294 return

Kamaru Usman brands himself nightmare fight for Sean Strickland after UFC 294Already holding a one-sided unanimous decision win over Sean Strickland all the way back in 2017, former welterweight champion,…

Kamaru Usman brands himself nightmare fight for Sean Strickland after UFC 294

Already holding a one-sided unanimous decision win over Sean Strickland all the way back in 2017, former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman has admitted that while the incumbent middleweight best has made improvements to his game, he still presents a “nightmare” stylistic matchup for him.

Usman, a former undisputed welterweight champion under the banner of the promotion and former pound-for-pound number one, returns to the Octagon this weekend in the co-main event of UFC 294, taking an impromptu middleweight fight with the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev on just 10 days’ notice.

With the added spoils of landing a title fight with Strickland off the back of a potential win over Chimaev, Auchi native, Usman previously landed a unanimous judging win over the former back in 2017, as part of a mesmerizing 15-fight undefeated run to kick-off his Octagon tenure. 

And breaking down a potential rematch with Strickland in the future should he hand Chimaev his first professional defeat, Usman claimed that despite wholesale changes to his game, he still presents a “nightmare” matchup for the middleweight kingpin.

Kamaru Usman likes his chances in a rematch with Sean Strickland

“This is MMA, styles make fights,” Kamaru Usman told assembled media during his availability ahead of UFC 294. “Sean (Strickland), I think he’s definitely grown a lot, of course, but I think most important he’s grown into his identity of a fighter. He accepts the fact that he fights a particular style, a particular way, and he’s just leaned into it and grown exponentially, and now he’s the champion.”

“But styles make fights, you know,” Kamaru Usman explained. “I said it when i came into the game. I’m a nightmare for a certain people to deal with, and I just think that matchup is a nightmare for Sean Strickland. But he’s grown exponentially. He’s improved.” 

Would you like to see Kamaru Usman fight Sean Strickland again for the title?

Video – Hasbulla Magomedov punches Daniel Cormier ahead of UFC 294, tries to take down Hall of Famer

Hasbulla Magomedov punches Daniel Cormier takes him down ahead of UFC 294Continuing in his vein of picking a fight with current or ex-UFC stars, organizational ambassador and social media star,…

Hasbulla Magomedov punches Daniel Cormier takes him down ahead of UFC 294

Continuing in his vein of picking a fight with current or ex-UFC stars, organizational ambassador and social media star, Hasbulla Magomedov switched his attention to color-commentator and former two-weight champion, Daniel Cormier, punching the Hall of Famer and attempting a single-leg takedown on him. 

Hasbulla, an official brand ambassador for the UFC, has been a vocal staple of the entourage of incoming UFC 294 headliner, Islam Makhachev prior to the Russian’s title victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 this time last year, and returned to Abu Dhabi for this week’s fesitvities.

Appearing at the official pre-fight press conference, the 20-year-old Russian remained coy when asked for his prediction on the main event featuring friend, Makhachev, and incumbent featherweight champion, pound-for-pound kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski.

Making his way into the Octagon as part of Makhachev’s team last year at the Etihad Arena, Magomedov was lofted into the air by both former champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Makhachev, following the latter’s title win and second round submission win over the above-mentioned, Oliveira. 

Hasbulla Magomedov punches UFC color commentator Daniel Cormier in the face

Last year to boot, Hasbulla and Cormier shared some camera time in Abu Dhabi, with the former punching the color-commentator in the face. And a year on, some things never change, with Cormier once more the victim of the 20-year-old’s wrath, this time also forced to defend a single-leg takedown attempt. 

Sure to have a vested interest in the night’s headliner, Hasbulla is also expected to feature Octagon-side for a much-anticipated co-main event between undefeated welterweight finisher, Khamzat Chimaev, and former divisional champion and former pound-for-pound king, Kamaru Usman – who clash at the middleweight limit. 

What are your thoughts on UFC ambassador, Hasbulla Magomedov?

Israel Adesanya picks Alexander Volkanovski to KO Islam Makhachev at UFC 294: ‘He’s gonna catch him’

Israel Adesanya picks Alexander Volkanovski to KO Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 he's gonna catch himFormer two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has predicted a third round knockout win for his close friend and…

Israel Adesanya picks Alexander Volkanovski to KO Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 he's gonna catch him

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has predicted a third round knockout win for his close friend and training partner, Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 this weekend, winning the lightweight title in his rematch with champion, Islam Makhachev.

Set to share the Octagon with Makhachev for the second time this year this weekend in Abu Dhabi, undisputed featherweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Volkanovski replaces former lightweight titleholder, Charles Oliveira on just 10 days’ notice, attempting to avenge a prior loss to the former.

Headlining UFC 284 back in February in enemy territory in Perth, Australia – American Kickboxing Academy staple, Makhachev landed a close decision win over Volkanovski, handing the New South Wales native his first promotional loss.

Alexander Volkanovski backed to KO Islam Makhachev in UFC 294 rematch

Sharing the Octagon again this weekend in the Middle East – despite the fact Volkanovski is taking the bout on such short-notice against Makhachev, Adesanya believes his training partner can avenge a February loss, and even stop the Russian with strikes.

“Now he (Alexander Volkanovski) knows what he (Islam Makhachev) brings,” Israel Adesanya siad of the UFC 294 headliner on his official YouTube channel. “This guy can take me down? He can’t keep me down. I can get back up and f*ck him up. So, now he knows what to do and he doesn’t have to worry about, ‘I need to last with this guy. Only 11 days, cool. I been on the couch, cool.’”

“When it gets to the fourth and fifth round, watch ‘Volk’ not get tired,” Israel Adesanya explained. “I don’t think it’s gonna get that long. I honestly think third round, maybe even second round, but I think third round. ‘Volk’s’ gonna finish him. Catch him with a shot, drop him, and ground and pound him to a finish. If he submits him, that would be f*cking insane but I think ‘Volk’s’ gonna catch him and drop him and finish him.”

Who wins at UFC 294: Islam Makhachev or Alexander Volkanovski?

Kamaru Usman denies suffering knee injury during UFC 294 open workout: ‘How could you hear what I said?’

Kamaru Usman denies suffering knee injury ahead of UFC 294 how could you hearFormer undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman has questioned how fans and viewers could have heard his brief conversaiton with…

Kamaru Usman denies suffering knee injury ahead of UFC 294 how could you hear

Former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman has questioned how fans and viewers could have heard his brief conversaiton with Justin Gaethje following an apparent injury suffered at his UFC 294 open workouts, describing claims across social media that he is entering Saturday’s return in Abu Dhabi, UAE, compromised, as “clickbait”.

Usman, a former undisputed welterweight champion under the banner of the promotion and former pound-for-pound number one fighter on the organization’s books, is slated to make a short-notice return to the Octagon at UFC 294 this weekend in the Middle East, taking on the undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev at the middleweight limit.

And appearing at open workouts yesterday in Abu Dhabi alongside recently minted BMF championship holder, Gaethje, Auchi native, Usman appeared to mutter “something popped”, before clutching his knee, and attempting to briefly shake it out following a takedown on the Arizona native.

Kamaru Usman denies suffering knee injury ahead of UFC 294

However, Usman and his team, including Gaethje have firmly denied claims that he said “something popped” – with the ex-champion in particular describing claims and reports of an apparent injury as “clickbait”.

“It just goes to show how crazy – people just just on news and media,” Kamaru Usman said. “And, ‘Oh, that must be true, that person said that, and that person said that.’ Whoever started that – how could you have possibly heard what I said? When it’s me and Justin (Gaethje) on a stage in front of thousands of people in a mall? Were you next to us? You would hear what I was saying? How stupid – just dumb.”

“And if my knee was hurt, why would I get up and [hit] mitts,” Kamaru Usman explained. “Oh my God. People believe anything you put on the internet – stop with the clickbait. Clearly, I’m fine, dummies.” 

Do you believe Kamaru Usman suffered a knee injury ahead of UFC 294?

Khamzat Chimaev issues warning to Bo nickal ahead of UFC 294: ‘I’m going to come up and smash his face’

Khamzat ChimaevKhamzat Chimaev sent a word of warning to undefeated prospect Bo Nickal after the three-time NCAA Division I National…

Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev sent a word of warning to undefeated prospect Bo Nickal after the three-time NCAA Division I National Champion called the Chechen’s wrestling skills “trash” in a past interview.

After it was revealed that Paulo Costa was out of his co-main event clash with Chimaev at UFC 294 due to a nasty infection in his elbow, Nickal, a 5-0 fighter with an incredible average fight time of 1:20, immediately called out ‘Borz’ in hopes of snatching the short-notice opportunity.

As we now know, the UFC went in a different direction, booking former welterweight world champion Kamaru Usman to step in and take on Chimaev on 10 days’ notice. Nickal quickly expressed his frustration over being passed up by the promotion.

“I was disappointed they didn’t ask me to step in there,” he said on his YouTube channel. “I was expecting at least an ask like, ‘Hey, you want to to this?’ But, no. Just nothing. Nothing from the UFC. It is what it is. I’m guessing they didn’t want me to roll over into Abu Dhabi on 10 days’ notice and smash their boy in front of his home crowd or something.”

The likelier scenario is that the UFC simply didn’t want to put one of their biggest stars in the cage against an unranked fighter who’s only had two fights inside the Octagon, but that’s a far less interesting headline.

Khamzat Chimaev says wrestling in the UFC is far different than when doing it for points

Asked about Nickal’s comments during his appearance at the UFC 294 media event ahead of fight night, Chimaev was fairly dismissive of Nickal’s comments about his wrestling skills, but ‘Borz’ did offer a word of warning to the Nittany Lion should the two ever step inside the Octagon.

“I don’t know what this guy’s saying. He’s not wrestling for the points, man,” Chimaev said. “Here, we don’t play wrestling. This is fighting, man. I don’t care if somebody takes me down. I’m going to come up and smash his face. I don’t think this guy can come to the cage and take me down. It’s not wrestling. We don’t stay like wrestlers.”

Khamzat Chimaev enters his 13th career fight with an undefeated record of 12-0. That includes six wins under the UFC banner with only one of them going the distance. That would be his unanimous decision victory over Gilbert Burns in April 2022. The bout was Chimaev’s first major test inside the Octagon and while he faced some adversity, ‘Borz’ did more than enough to walk away the winner and prove to the naysayers that he is the real deal.

If he can leave Etihad Arena with a win over Kamaru Usman on Saturday night, Chimaev will secure himself an opportunity to face reigning middleweight world champion Sean Strickland.

Video – Fans speculate Kamaru Usman suffered knee injury during UFC 294 open workout: ‘Something popped’

Fans speculate Kamaru Usman suffered knee injury during open workout at UFC 294 something poppedFans have speculated across social media that this weekend’s UFC 294 title eliminator between Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev…

Fans speculate Kamaru Usman suffered knee injury during open workout at UFC 294 something popped

Fans have speculated across social media that this weekend’s UFC 294 title eliminator between Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev may be in jeopardy just as soon as it’s been put together – with the former champion appearing to mention how “something popped” in his knee whilst wrestling with teammate, Justin Gaethje during his open workouts today.

Usman, a former undisputed welterweight champion under the banner of the promotion, and former pound-for-pound number one fighter on the organization’s books, is slated to make his return to competition this weekend on just 10 days’ notice, taking on Chimaev over the course of three rounds in a middleweight divisional bow.

Replacing former title challenger, Paulo Costa on short notice, Auchi native, Kamaru Usman has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 286 back in March, suffering a majority decision loss to three-time foe and current welterweight champion, Leon Edwards in London.

And heralded by many in the mixed martial arts community for taking on the undefeated Chimaev on short-notice with a middleweight title fight against the incumbent Sean Strickland set to be awarded to the victor in Abu Dhabi.

Fans speculate Kamaru Usman suffered knee injury during UFC 294 open workouts

However, appearing at open workouts today in the Middle East ahead of his fight with Chimaev, Usman showed off his grappling and wrestling ability with newly-minted BMF champion, Gaethje, however, keen listeners appeared to hear Usman say “something popped”, before clutching at his knee as he sprang back to his feet following the takedown. 

Notoriously dealing with a slew of knee injuries and issues during his Octagon tenure amid his years as an amateur wrestler, Usman has noticeably limited his tendency to wrestle as a result during his time in the UFC. 

Likely to face a grappling and wrestling onslaught from Chimaev this weekend at the Etihad Arena, the undefeated Chechnya native is riding a 12-fight perfect professional run, most recently latching onto an opening round D’Arce choke submission win over Kevin Holland at UFC 279 in September of last year. 

Do you think Kamaru Usman injured his knee whilst training ahead of UFC 294 this weekend?