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

Kamaru Usman is set to replace Paulo Costa in the highly anticipated UFC 294 fight between Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev.

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

Khamzat Chimaev defeated Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 ( Image via Imago )

The UFC has orchestrated another last-minute change for the Paulo Costa vs Khamzat Chimaev bout. This happened less than a day after securing a massive replacement for the main event at UFC 294.

Paulo Costa was originally slated to lock horns with Khamzat Chimaev in the co-main event of the Abu Dhabi pay-per-view spectacle. However, he has been sidelined due to medical concerns related to a staph infection. However, Chimaev remains a prominent figure on the fight card. He may now face Kamaru Usman, the former welterweight champion. Usman’s willingness to step into the middleweight fray was announced by UFC CEO Dana White on social media. Gilbert Burns shared a video of Usman training in the background teasing, “Someone’s getting ready…”.

https://youtu.be/x6SwXV8dXus?si=b9OB-xjwsFFwk5r2

Kamaru Usman previously held a firm grip on the welterweight division, defending his title five times. However, his last appearance in the octagon dates back to UFC 286. That was his last consecutive loss to the current champion Leon Edwards. In contrast, Chimaev has been absent from competition for an even longer period. His most recent fight was against Kevin Holland at UFC 279. After this Chimaev resolved to make the move to middleweight, where he already boasts two victories.

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Paulo Costa, who was originally slated for the matchup, disclosed on social media (later deleted) that he would require a second elbow procedure. This came just weeks after an initial surgery to address a right arm issue. This co-main event reshuffling has unfolded in less than 24 hours after the announcement that the scheduled main event between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira had been scrapped. This happened due to Oliveira’s injury while training which marked Alexander Volkanovski stepping in to take his place.

Related: “Never intended on actually fighting…” Paulo Costa’s concerning injury update makes fans lose all hope for Khamzat Chimaev’s spectacular UFC 294 return

Daniel Cormier teases exciting co-main event for UFC 294

Daniel Cormier, privy to insider knowledge, sheds light on an electrifying potential showdown. He echoed Dana White‘s doubts about Paulo Costa’s fight status in a recent Instagram video. Cormier stated that there is an air of doubt around Paulo’s participation.

Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier teases UFC 294 co-main event ( Image via Imago )

However, he teased a co-main event in the making that according to Cormier people will lose their minds over. In a more extensive YouTube video, Daniel Cormier expanded on this exciting matchmaking. He declared that if the brewing co-main event comes together, UFC 294 will outshine its initial anticipation.

Cormier further teased, sharing that with Islam vs. Volk rematch and the brewing co-main event together, fans will be able to witness some jaw-dropping moments. He also revealed he would be on the ringside commentating on the electrifying battles.

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