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Set to headline UFC Atlanta
Usman will face Joaquin Buckley in a welterweight bout as the headliner of UFC Atlanta on June 14.
ANALYSIS
Usman will have plenty of time to prepare for this fight in an effort to get back to winning ways. His most recent fight was a bout he accepted on a 10-day notice and ended up losing to Khamzat Chimaev via majority decision on Oct. 21, 2023. The veteran owns a 20-4 pro record. though it's worth noting he's entering this fight after dropping his last three bouts.
Usman will have plenty of time to prepare for this fight in an effort to get back to winning ways. His most recent fight was a bout he accepted on a 10-day notice and ended up losing to Khamzat Chimaev via majority decision on Oct. 21, 2023. The veteran owns a 20-4 pro record. though it's worth noting he's entering this fight after dropping his last three bouts.
Hang tough in late-notice loss
Usman lost to Khamzat Chimaev via majority decision (27-29, 27-29, 28-28) at UFC 294 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
It was a perfectly reasonable effort from Usman against an elite opponent in a fight he accepted about 10 days ago. The first round was an unmitigated disaster for Kamaru, as he was immediately planted on his back and spent the entire frame defending submission attempts from Chimaev, but he got progressively better as the fight moved forward. Round 2 was super close, as was Round 3, although Khamzat landed a late takedown that seemed to be the final nail in the coffin. It remains to be seen if Usman's move to middleweight will be permanent or if this was just a one time thing, but he proved in this fight he can absolutely hang with one of the best in the world at 185 pounds.
It was a perfectly reasonable effort from Usman against an elite opponent in a fight he accepted about 10 days ago. The first round was an unmitigated disaster for Kamaru, as he was immediately planted on his back and spent the entire frame defending submission attempts from Chimaev, but he got progressively better as the fight moved forward. Round 2 was super close, as was Round 3, although Khamzat landed a late takedown that seemed to be the final nail in the coffin. It remains to be seen if Usman's move to middleweight will be permanent or if this was just a one time thing, but he proved in this fight he can absolutely hang with one of the best in the world at 185 pounds.
Short-notice middleweight co-main
Usman will compete against Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight fight at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 21, according to Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
UFC 294's co-main was initially Chimaev against Paulo Costa before the Brazilian withdrew because of a staph infection in his right elbow. On just 10 days' notice, Usman has opted to take Costa's place, giving the Nigerian Nightmare multiple potential opportunities should he defeat Chimaev in this high-risk showdown. Defeating the undefeated Chimaev would solidify Usman as No. 1 contender for either the UFC Welterweight Championship (to be decided between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington at UFC 296) or the UFC Middleweight Championship (held by Sean Strickland).
UFC 294's co-main was initially Chimaev against Paulo Costa before the Brazilian withdrew because of a staph infection in his right elbow. On just 10 days' notice, Usman has opted to take Costa's place, giving the Nigerian Nightmare multiple potential opportunities should he defeat Chimaev in this high-risk showdown. Defeating the undefeated Chimaev would solidify Usman as No. 1 contender for either the UFC Welterweight Championship (to be decided between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington at UFC 296) or the UFC Middleweight Championship (held by Sean Strickland).
Stumbles in quest to regain title
Usman failed in his quest to regain the UFC Welterweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Leon Edwards via majority decision (46-48, 46-48, 47-47) at UFC 286 in London.
ANALYSIS
Although the end result was the same as the fight between the two seven months ago, how they got there was completely different, and not in a positive way for Usman. Kamaru dominated the entirety of the last bout between the two outside of the head kick Edwards landed with just seconds to go. He was much less effective here, eating far too many power shots from Edwards and failing to get his grappling game going on a consistent basis. Usman's cardio appeared considerably weaker, as well. The only reason the scorecards appeared as close as they were was because Edwards was (correctly) docked a point by referee Herb Dean in Round 2 for an illegal fence grab which would have led to an Usman takedown. Otherwise, this fight wasn't in doubt. Usman is one of the greatest welterweights of all time and it would be foolish to write him off, but he'll be 36 years of age this coming May and now has a long road ahead of him to get back to the top.
Although the end result was the same as the fight between the two seven months ago, how they got there was completely different, and not in a positive way for Usman. Kamaru dominated the entirety of the last bout between the two outside of the head kick Edwards landed with just seconds to go. He was much less effective here, eating far too many power shots from Edwards and failing to get his grappling game going on a consistent basis. Usman's cardio appeared considerably weaker, as well. The only reason the scorecards appeared as close as they were was because Edwards was (correctly) docked a point by referee Herb Dean in Round 2 for an illegal fence grab which would have led to an Usman takedown. Otherwise, this fight wasn't in doubt. Usman is one of the greatest welterweights of all time and it would be foolish to write him off, but he'll be 36 years of age this coming May and now has a long road ahead of him to get back to the top.
Set for Edwards rematch
Usman will face Leon Edwards in a welterweight title fight in London at UFC 286 on March 18, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
UFC president Dana White confirmed that the trilogy between the two elite fighters will conclude in London, as had been expected after the two matched up on Aug. 20. In the five-round bout, Edwards knocked out Usman with a lethal head kick en route to claiming the welterweight belt.
UFC president Dana White confirmed that the trilogy between the two elite fighters will conclude in London, as had been expected after the two matched up on Aug. 20. In the five-round bout, Edwards knocked out Usman with a lethal head kick en route to claiming the welterweight belt.