Nigerian Nightmare Kamaru Usman steps in to take on Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294, and eyes Israel Adesanya's former title.
American professional mixed martial artist of Nigerian descent Kamaru Usman is back on the trends.
![Kamaru Usman: Nigerian Nightmare shows off Inter Milan jersey](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/18092023/f09147b4-f7a8-4f83-8369-8752fd19d4f3.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
15:00 - 18.09.2023
Kamaru Usman: Nigerian Nightmare shows off Inter Milan jersey
Nigerian Nightmare Kamaru Usman shows off Inter Milan jersey and visits Italy to watch Derby della Madonnina.
Usman is dominating on social media following reports of his long-awaited return to the Octagon.
![Kamaru Usman's challenge sparks poison threat by Khamzat Chimaev](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/04052023/81c8b58f-7624-4a5a-b542-d40feda1e482.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
20:05 - 04.05.2023
UFC Kamaru Usman's challenge sparks poison threat by Khamzat Chimaev
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Dana White announces Kamaru Usman will return to UFC 294
UFC president Dana White revealed on social media that former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will now compete against Khamzat Chimaev in the co-main event of the program on October 21 in Abu Dhabi.
![Khamzat Chimaev sent a tweet with aggressive language that many in the mixed martial arts (MMA) community found to be directed towards Kamaru Usman.](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/04052023/81c8b58f-7624-4a5a-b542-d40feda1e482.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
White said, “We got it done.
“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.”
Chimaev was scheduled to fight Paulo Costa, but he was not certified since he had elbow surgery three weeks beforehand.
Since losing a title rematch to Leon Edwards at UFC 286 in March, Usman (20-3) hasn't competed.
In August 2022, Edwards defeated the fighter with Nigerian ancestry who trains in Florida and Colorado.
![Khamzat Chimaev is the Most Googled Men’s Welterweight UFC fighter in America](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/29032023/a7bbd942-f4df-4d6d-bbb6-ea4f4fec0a59.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
Usman, 36, had the second-longest winning streak in UFC history—15 fights—before his two losses.
With five finishes in six UFC fights, Chimaev (12-0) is 6-0 overall and a heavy favorite to win.
The UFC fighter, who is of Chechen descent, has competed at middleweight and welterweight.
![The proposal that Kamaru Usman has for a fight with Khamzat Chimaev doesn't sit well with UFC President Dana White](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/05052023/75e6cca1-1710-4d70-b033-887a62bb4204.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
The 29-year-old Chimaev is one of the UFC's most intimidating up-and-coming competitors and a potential future champion in either weight division.
Usman accepted the bout with only two weeks' notice, and this will be his debut fight at middleweight.
In related news for UFC 294, a serious cut above his eye has forced Charles Oliveira to withdraw from his scheduled rematch against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 294.
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