This was reported by well-known sports columnist Kevin Aiol with reference to UFC head, Dana White.
“Dana White just told me that the winner of the Chimaev-Usman fight will next fight for the title unless he gets injured,” the reporter wrote in a social media post.
The day before, former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman agreed on short notice to replace Paulo Costa and face Hamzat Chimaev on Oct. 21 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. The Brazilian, who underwent surgery three weeks ago on an elbow inflamed due to staphylococcus aureus, was previously pulled from the fight by the medical board.
Kamaru Usman returns to the octagon after two title defeats to Leon Edwards, while undefeated Khamzat Chimaev will try to extend his UFC winning streak to seven matches in a fight with the Nigerian.