Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman could replace Paulo Costa and face Hamzat Chimaev on Oct. 21 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.
Informed sources report that the Nigerian has agreed to fight “Borz,” however, UFC officials have yet to make a statement on the matter.
This information was indirectly confirmed by Usman’s teammate, Gilbert Burns, who published a training video from the gym.
“A lot of crazy stuff happened today, but someone is getting ready,” Burns said, showing the former UFC champion working out.
That said, Costa, who underwent elbow surgery three weeks ago for a staph infection, still hopes to fight Chimaev.
“I didn’t withdraw from the fight – let me fight the damn glutton Chen-Chen,” the Brazilian wrote on social media. “I’m here in Abu Dhabi already ready for the fight!”
Today, UFC CEO, Dana White, confirmed the information that the Chimaev and Costa fight will likely be canceled, and that they are currently already in talks with potential opponents who could step in as replacements and face “Borz.”
Earlier, UFC middleweights Roman Dolidze and Roman Kopylov publicly announced their desire to fight Khamzat Chimaev.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/32852-slukh-kamaru-usman-dal-soglasie-na-boj-s-khamzatom-chimaevym.html?rand=19907
