Kamaru Usman to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi after Paulo Costa withdrawal

Kamaru Usman will replace Paulo Costa and fight Khamzat Chimaev in a blockbuster co-main event at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi on October 21.

Costa has withdrawn from the contest as he was not medically cleared following elbow surgery.

Chimaev holds a 12-0 record but has not fought since beating Kevin Holland in September 2022.

Former welterweight champion Usman (20-3) will be looking to bounce back from successive defeats to Leon Edwards.

Not only has he taken the fight at two weeks’ notice, but he will also be fighting at middleweight for the first time.

“We got it done,” said UFC CEO Dana White on Instagram.

“The No. 4 welterweight in the world, Khamzat Chimaev, is moving up to middleweight and will face the No. 1 welterweight in the world Kamaru Usman.”

Costa said on X: "Unfortunately, I am hospitalised and had to do a second surgery yesterday. According to doctors, a third surgery will be necessary on Friday. So, I will not be medically cleared to fight on October 21st.

"The Abu Dhabi card still amazing I’m not happy but that’s it. I will be back before end 2023."

The change follows the news that Charles Oliveira has been ruled out of his scheduled rematch against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 due to a deep cut above his eye.

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will now enter the fray, as the two fighters headline the main event in Abu Dhabi.

Makhachev came out on top in the previous meeting between the pair at UFC 284, when he won via unanimous decision to defend his title and stop Volkanovski from becoming a two-weight world champion.

That bout in February against the Australian was the last time Makhachev fought, and he will be hoping history repeats itself again in the UAE.

As for Oliveira, he will be looking to quickly bounce back from this latest setback after losing to Makhachev at UFC 280.

The Brazilian former champion knocked out Justin Gaethje at UFC 274 and beat Beneil Dariush at UFC 289, proving his undoubted credentials in the division.

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