Khamzat just defeated Usman at UFC 294. Photo via UFC (Twitter)
Top ranked welterweights Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman just clashed in a middleweight co-headliner at UFC 294.
Khamzat started at a high pace, changed level immediately and took the fight to the ground. Usman stayed calm, but Chimaev controlled the back and landed good shots from the top. When Usman stood up Khamzat secured a rear-naked -choke but Usman slammed his opponent to the ground. Dominant round for Chimaev.
The second round was way more measured by Chimaev. Usman landed a few good strikes but Chimaev took the fight to the ground in the last minute.
In the third round, they traded heavy shots before Chimaev took the fight to the ground.
After the final bell, Chimaev stood as the winner via majority decision with 29-27, 29-27 and 28-28.
An emotional and grateful Chimaev took to the microphone.
“I’m a big fan of Usman,” Chimaev said. “He has good coaches and a good team, I have good coaches and a good team.”
I wasn’t happy in the cage. It doesn’t matter where ever in the world, Ukraine, Syria, Palestine, USA, it doesn’t matter, when kids day it’s hard, guys. I love the kids,” Chimaev said. “Muslim, christian, jewish it doesn’t matter. Let’s be happy.”