The head of the world’s strongest league announced the middleweight bout hours after informed sources close to the situation reported the matchup. Earlier, the Brazilian, who underwent surgery on an elbow inflamed by staphylococcus aureus three weeks ago, was withdrawn from the fight by the medical board.
The first attempt to organize a fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman was made six months ago, however, then the parties failed to agree on the weight category, after which the opponent “Borz” was named Paulo Costa.
Last August, 36-year-old Kamaru Usman lost his UFC championship belt by fifth-round knockout to Leon Edwards, and seven months later the Nigerian was defeated in an immediate rematch with the Brit, to whom he lost by majority decision.
Undefeated Khamzat Chimaev is riding a six-fight win streak in the UFC, the most recent of which the 29-year-old Chechen fighter earned last September by finishing Kevin Holland by first-round choke.