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Kamaru Usman will change Paulo Costa and fight Khamzat Chimaev in a blockbuster co-important tournament at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi on October 21.
Costa has withdrawn from the competition as he turned into not medically cleared following elbow surgical map.
Chimaev holds a 12-0 record however has not fought since beating Kevin Holland in September 2022.
Damaged-down welterweight champion Usman (20-3) shall be looking out to soar money in on successive defeats to Leon Edwards.
Now not simplest has he taken the fight at two weeks’ thought, however he’ll also be fighting at middleweight for the first time.
“We bought it performed,” stated UFC CEO Dana White on Instagram.
“The No. 4 welterweight on the planet, Khamzat Chimaev, is involving up to middleweight and will face the No. 1 welterweight on the planet Kamaru Usman.”
Costa stated on X: “Unfortunately, I’m hospitalised and had to end a 2nd surgical map the outdated day. According to doctors, a third surgical map shall be well-known on Friday. So, I will not be medically cleared to fight on October twenty first.
“The Abu Dhabi card serene unbelievable I’m not contented however that’s it. I shall be benefit prior to stop 2023.”
Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will now enter the fray, as the two fighters headline the foremost tournament in Abu Dhabi.
Makhachev came out on top in the outdated assembly between the pair at UFC 284, when he gained through unanimous possibility to shield his title and stop Volkanovski from becoming a two-weight world champion.
That bout in February towards the Australian turned into the last time Makhachev fought, and he’ll be hoping history repeats itself yet again in the UAE.
As for Oliveira, he’ll be looking out to mercurial soar take pride on this latest setback after dropping to Makhachev at UFC 280.
The Brazilian feeble 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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