Chimaev Secures Gritty Majority Decision Victory Over Usman
Chimaev Secures Gritty Majority Decision Victory Over Usman
In the highly-anticipated co-main event of UFC 294, Khamzat Chimaev edged out a majority decision victory over former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman. The judges scored the intense bout 29-27, 29-27, and 28-28 in favor of Chimaev.
Chimaev showcased his prowess early in the fight, nearly finishing Usman in the opening round. The Chechen fighter’s aggressive takedowns and punishing strikes were the highlight, with Usman playing defense from a compromising position. Usman, however, made a comeback in the subsequent rounds, landing solid strikes and evening the score.
Post-fight, Chimaev expressed his respect for Usman, stating,
“I’m a big fan of Usman. He has good coaches, a good team. I didn’t come here for the titles, [I’m here to] make money and be happy.”
The victory positions Chimaev for a potential shot at middleweight champion Sean Strickland, as previously mentioned by UFC CEO Dana White.
