Kamaru Usman vs Khamzat Chimaev UFC Yas Island Fight Video Stream Replay Part 1
Watch UFC 294 Full Fight Video

Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman will engage in an impromptu middleweight match in the UFC 294 co-headliner in Abu Dhabi on Saturday afternoon.

Due to "Borrachinha" being excused from the competition due to a nasty staph infection he contracted in his elbow, Chimaev, who was originally scheduled to face Paulo Costa, will instead face Usman.

Usman, a former welterweight champion who has traditionally competed at 170 pounds, has long discussed increasing his weight to put himself to the test.

The potential benefits for Usman at 185 pounds are undeniable given that he currently holds a dominant decision win over Sean Strickland, the UFC's current middleweight champion, despite the fact that 11 days' notice isn't exactly the ideal circumstances for such an action.

Both men have clearly developed a taste for striking from both stances, despite the fact that they both originated from wrestling bases.

Although Chimaev is still working on his strategy, the Chechen fighter seems at ease taking on both roles.

Chimaev, 29, does a good job of throwing straight punches when he intends to, whether it be pumping out piston-like jabs or lining up kill shots from the power side.

Chimaev has a nasty uppercut that, given Usman's history with that punch, will probably work well for him when he is moving quickly.

Chimaev also excels at consistently stabbing his opponent in the body with front kicks, which could be particularly effective against a fighter on short notice.

Chimaev must respect what is coming back at him this Saturday because he is not a defensive savant.

Usman, a former 170-pound division champion, has had to make some significant, noticeable advancements throughout his career to maintain his position at the top.

Fortunately, Henri Hooft and Trevor Wittman, two of MMA's top striking coaches, have helped Usman.

Both coaches are strong on fundamentals, despite the fact that they can produce fighters who stand out in stark contrast.

And Usman has mastered the art of effective pressure and countermeasure thanks to their teachings.

Given Chimaev's aggression, the latter is probably advantageous, but if Usman can maintain this position, he poses a serious threat.

Fortunately for "The Nigerian Nightmare," Usman is the wrestler with the highest takedown defense rating.

Don't be surprised if Usman loses the game because not all numbers are equal.

Given the short notice nature of this competition, "Borz" will have a significant size and preparation advantage over Usman in addition to Chimaev's superior submission threat.