“Everyone feels invincible until someone pokes the balloon,” S*VAGE Kamaru Usman reacts to why he accepted 10-day notice fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294

UFC's Kamaru Usman accepts a short-notice fight in Abu Dhabi, moving to middleweight. Reflecting on legacy, he emphasizes readiness, skillset, and passion amid challenges.

“Everyone feels invincible until someone pokes the balloon,” S*VAGE Kamaru Usman reacts to why he accepted 10-day notice fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294

Kamaru Usman faces Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 (Source: IMAGO)

UFC 294 had its main and co-main events requiring short notice replacement. While Alexander Volkanovski stepped in for Charles Oliveira in the main event, Kamaru Usman stepped up to face Khamzat Chimaev, replacing Paulo Costa in the co-main event. Usman talked about his mentality in an interview with TMZ Sports. He said, “At the end of the day, we all are human beings. Everyone feels invincible until someone pokes the balloon.”

Kamaru Usman was further asked about whether he sought help from Chimaev’s former opponent, Gilbert Burns. Usman replied, “No, Not really. Because that’s what we do. We fight. We are all fighters. Gilbert is a fighter. He is a tough dude. I Knew that when I was gonna fight Gilbert.”Furthermore, he had high praise for Gilbert Burns and Alexander Volkanovski as he said, “Fighters fight. That what we do. That’s why guys like myself, like Gilbert, like Volkanovski are willing to fight in the drop of a dime.”

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There were rumors of Usman and Chimaev fighting each other at welterweight. Both are currently ranked in the top 5 of the welterweight division. However, their fight will take place in the middleweight division. The Chechen fighter having weight-cutting issues after contracting COVID-19 dampened the welterweight fight. An interesting thing to note is that both fighters have fought Gilbert Burns. Usman knocked out Burns in a title fight while Chimeav engaged in a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender with Burns.

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The former welterweight champion is currently on a two-fight losing streak. He lost the title at UFC 278 to Leon Edwards and lost the immediate rematch at UFC 286. Chimaev, on the other hand, last fought at UFC 279, where he submitted Kevin Holland in the co-main event. Chimeav was to fight in the main event against Nate Diaz at the event, but a massive weight miss caused the reshuffling of the bouts at the event.

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Kamaru Usman wants to win the middleweight title and drop back and win back the welterweight title

In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Usman indicated his plans for the future. Usman had previously not moved up to middleweight as his close friend and African compatriot Israel Adesanya reigned as the champion. Recently, Adesanya lost the title to Sean Strickland at UFC 293. Moreover, Adesanya has come forth and announced a hiatus from competition. This has paved the way for Usman to move to the middleweight division.

Sean Strickland faced Kamaru Usman at UFC 210
Sean Strickland faced Kamaru Usman at UFC 210 (Image via: Globo Esporte)

Moreover, Sean Strickland and Kamaru Usman have a history. Strickland competed in the welterweight division at the beginning of his career and lost to Usman at UFC 210. However, Usman is not going to take Strickland lightly. He believed that Strickland has significantly improved since their initial meeting. Usman’s plan hinges on winning at UFC 294 against Khamzat Chimeav.

Usman is one of the most credentialed welterweights in the UFC history. His accolades stand just below Georges St. Pierre. Moreover, Usman was undefeated in the UFC before his losses to Leon Edwards at UFC 278 and UFC 286.

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