Kamaru Usman will make his middleweight debut against Khamzat Chimaev in the co-main event of UFC 294, replacing Paulo Costa on just 10 days' notice. The bout was confirmed on Wednesday after Costa revealed he requires two elbow surgeries this week, having already undergone one two weeks ago.
Usman, who reigned as welterweight champion from 2018 to 2022, last fought in March, losing a decision to Leon Edwards. Chimaev, a Swedish-born Russian, boasts a perfect 12-0 professional record with 11 stoppage wins. His last fight was in September 2022, when he submitted Kevin Holland in the first round.
The change is the second major alteration to the UFC 294 card in two days. On Tuesday, Charles Oliveira withdrew from the main event due to a severe cut over his right eye. Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will replace Oliveira and face lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in a rematch of their February bout, which Makhachev won by narrow decision.
UFC 294 takes place on 21 October in Abu Dhabi. The event was originally headlined by Makhachev vs Oliveira and co-headlined by Chimaev vs Costa.
