“Get ready for an epic showdown!” – Fans lose their minds as Dana White announces Kamaru Usman to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 on 10 days notice

Dana White announced Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 after Paulo Costa's withdrawal. The winner will get a title shot in the middleweight division.

“Get ready for an epic showdown!” – Fans lose their minds as Dana White announces Kamaru Usman to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 on 10 days notice

Dana White announces Kamaru Usman to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 (Image via: Imago)

Dana White revealed that Kamaru Usman would face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 on a 10-day notice. This announcement left fans and the MMA community in a frenzy. The matchup between the two top-ranked fighters in the welterweight division contesting at middleweight promises to be an epic showdown.

Usman is a former welterweight champion and currently the number 1 ranked welterweight contender. He stepped in after Paulo Costa withdrew from the contest due to a staph infection. The sudden change in the lineup has reshaped the expectations and predictions surrounding the event. Usman has a proven track record, and Chimaev is a rising star in the MMA world. Fans have expressed their excitement about the matchup. One fan tweeted, “Sounds like a can’t-miss fight! Get ready for an epic showdown at the co-main event. Brace yourselves, folks!” Meanwhile, Costa tweeted to clarify his part, “I go resume : I got Staphylococcus bacteria inside my elbow and doctors is pulling me out the Fight”

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The pairing of Usman and Chimaev ensures that UFC 294 will remain one of the year’s most anticipated events. This is even amidst unexpected lineup changes. The event already had a main event change. Charles Oliveira suffered an injury. Alexander Volkanovski replaced him to face Islam Makhachev. With the change in lineup, UFC 294 is shaping up to be a historic event.

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Usman is coming off two losses to Leon Edwards, both title fights. On the other hand, Chimaev is undefeated and, in his last bout, finished Kevin Holland at UFC 279. The two fighters already have an existing rivalry since Usman was the welterweight champion and Chimaev was making noise. With the change, UFC 294 now has two changes in its lineup in two days.

Related: “Someone’s getting ready,” Gilbert Burns teases Kamaru Usman replacing Paulo Costa to battle Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294

Fans react to the Kamaru Usman fighting Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in 10 days notice

The MMA community is happy with the sudden announcement of Kamaru Usman taking on Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 with just a 10-day notice. Moreover, Fans are expressing their excitement and making predictions for the coveted co-main event of UFC 294. The rapid pivoting of the camps to accommodate this unexpected matchup has left many astounded. Another fan commented on the adaptability showcase.

Kamaru Usman fighting Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294
Kamaru Usman fighting Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 (Image via: MMA News)

Many recognize Usman’s standing in the sport. Moreover, they see this as an opportunity for him to cement his legacy further. Opinions on the potential outcome of the fight are split. Some are siding with Usman’s prowess. Others are rallying behind Chimaev’s hype. The short notice for both fighters and the resulting card reshuffle has also raised concerns. See the fan reactions below.

https://twitter.com/DopeGsaint/status/1712239884495134874
https://twitter.com/CalebMontour/status/1712237517196443841

UFC 294 is actually shaping up to be better than the initial lineup. Now, the main event features the number two and three pound-for-pound fighters. The co-main event features a welterweight legend vs. the new rising superstar. It also needs to be noted that Dana White has confirmed the title shot opportunity for the co-main event fighters.

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