Kamaru Usman vs Khamzat Chimaev Prediction UFC 294 10/21
- Lm Tipster
- Oct 21, 2023, 7:24:10 AM
© Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
UFC 294: Kamaru Usman vs Khamzat Chimaev Preview and Prediction
At UFC 294 on Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev square off in a 3-round welterweight matchup on the main card. Let's examine both fighters stats and performances to determinate our best bet for the fight.
Khamzat Chimaev
Chimaev made his UFC debut in mid-July 2020 on Fight Island, also in the UAE, after defeating John Phillips by submission in Round 2. Since then, he has won 6 straight matches. He has five finishes inside the distance in his six UFC fights, including a victory against Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision, two KO/TKO victories, and three submission victories.
After failing to make weight for his main-event matchup with Nate Diaz at UFC 279, Khamzat Chimaev (12-0) is attempting to earn his third victory in the middleweight division of the UFC. After a 13-month hiatus, he is finally competing this weekend at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi against Kamaru Usman, his toughest opponent to date, for a shot at the middleweight championship.
Kamaru Usman
Usman was a standout wrestler in high school and went on to compete at the collegiate level at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Usman made his professional MMA debut in 2012 and quickly established himself as a rising star in the sport. He won his first five fights, including wins over experienced veterans like Hayder Hassan and Leon Edwards.
In 2015, Usman signed with the UFC and made his debut against Leon Edwards. Usman dominated the fight, winning by unanimous decision and earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
Usman went on to win his next nine fights, including wins over top welterweight contenders like Demian Maia and Rafael dos Anjos. He then faced Tyron Woodley for the UFC welterweight championship in March 2019 and dominated the fight, winning by unanimous decision and becoming the new champion.
In his most recent fights, Usman has had two dominant victories. He defeated Gilbert Burns by knockout in the third round, and then defeated Colby Covington by unanimous decision in their highly anticipated rematch.
One of Usman's biggest strengths is his wrestling ability. He has an average of 3.01 takedowns landed per 15 minutes with a takedown accuracy of 48%. He is also known for his relentless pressure and ability to wear down his opponents over time.
In addition to his wrestling, Usman is also an excellent striker. He has a significant strike accuracy of 53% and a significant strike defense of 57%. He has knockout power in his hands and is not afraid to stand and trade with his opponents.
Kamaru Usman faced off against Leon Edwards in his final outing in the Octagon and was ultimately defeated by majority decision in round 5. In the end, Edwards connected on 123 of the 164 total blows made throughout that match. Usman won this fight by landing 113 of his 232 total blows. Edwards eventually managed to land 120 of the 161 big strikes, giving him a rate of 74%.
Overall, Kamaru Usman is one of the best fighters in the world and the current UFC welterweight champion. His wrestling ability and striking power make him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division. While he has some weaknesses, he has shown that he can overcome them and dominate his opponents with his relentless pressure and well-rounded skill set.
Prediction:
I am aware of the buzz surrounding Chimaev, but Usman has more experience in actual combat. Usman has nearly a decade of experience crushing opponents in the UFC, whilst Borz's hardest test came against Gilbert Burns 18 months ago. In contrast, Burns was put to sleep early in the third round of their title fight in 2021 by the Nigerian Nightmare, who took Chimaev the full 15 minutes to get his hand up in a decision. Usman may have lost a step, but I'll gladly pay a discount for one of the best boxers to ever enter the ring.
