Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Former UFC Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman finally switches to 185-pound in the co-main event of UFC 294 in a Middleweight title eliminator against Khamzat Chimaev. The co-main event of UFC 294 was originally billed as Paulo Costa vs. Khamzat Chimaev until Costa pulled out due to injury less than two weeks before the bout. Usman then stepped in on ten days’ notice, leading Dana White to upgrade the Middleweight clash to a title eliminator, with the winner challenging Middleweight champion Sean Strickland. Long-time Welterweight king Kamaru Usman is the underdog against the returning Chimaev, who has not fought since his weight misled to a reshuffling of the main card at UFC 279 last year.

MMA: UFC Middleweight

Venue: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi

Where to watch: ESPN+

Date: 21.10.2023. 22.45

Following a couple of back-to-back losses to long-time foe Leon Edwards, 36-year-old Kamaru Usman has increased a weight to 185 at short notice. A 2015 Ultimate Fighter 21 winner, Kamaru Usman, secured the Welterweight strap in a one-sided victory over former champ Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 in 2019. “The Nigerian Nightmare” made five successful title defenses before a shock loss to Leon Edwards, whom he had previously defeated in his sophomore UFC fight in 2015. In their rematch, Usman could not muster any juice to avenge the loss of his title, succumbing to a decision against the new Welterweight champ.

• Age: 36;
• Height: 6.0”;
• Weight: 184.5 Ib;
• Reach: 76”;
• Record: 20-3

Weighing seven and a half pounds over the Welterweight non-title fight limit in September 2022, Swedish fighter Khamzat Chimaev was removed from the main event of UFC 279 against Nate Diaz and instead faced Kevin Holland in a 180-pound catchweight. A first-round success for the Chechnya-born Chimaev extended his unbeaten status. Competing at both Welterweight and Middleweight, Khamzat Chimaev often utilizes his freestyle wrestling skills to bring his opponent to the ground, unleashing his ground-and-pound or submitting them. The 29-year-old has finished five of his six opponents since a 2020 debut in the UFC.

• Age: 29;
• Height: 6.2”;
• Weight: 185 Ib;
• Reach: 75”;
• Record: 12-0

The bet on Khamzat Chimaev to win by decision is 3.50 odds on Bet365, with a Kamaru Usman win priced at the same 3.50 odds. Over 1.5 rounds is available at 1.6 odds on Betweinner, with the under at 2.25. Fight to go the distance is 2.48 odds on 1XBET, while the favorite by TKO or points victory is priced at 1.69.