Khamzat Chimaev defeated Kamaru Usman at UFC 294, earning two scores of 29-27 for his dominant grappling performance, although one judge scored it a draw 28-28, and fighters had mixed opinions on the fight.
Khamzat Chimaev extended his winning streak at UFC 294, although he needed the full 15 minutes to defeat Kamaru Usman. Chimaev showcased his dominance over Usman on the canvas, leading to two judges scoring the fight 29-27 in his favor. However, one judge saw it as a draw, possibly due to Usman’s late surge in the middleweight co-headliner. Despite having only two weeks’ notice, Usman put up a commendable fight against one of the sport’s most formidable figures, but Chimaev’s grappling skills proved superior when it mattered most.
Fighters had their say on the Khamzat Chimaev versus Kamaru Usman bout during the pay-per-view main card of UFC 294. Conor McGregor expressed disappointment, believing the fight had the potential to become more exciting if it had gone on for five rounds. McGregor criticized Usman’s lack of urgency in the third round after successfully defending a takedown, stating that it was not reflective of the potential victory at stake. Renato Moicano acknowledged Usman’s skills as a former champion and believed that with a full training camp, Usman could have overcome Chimaev’s challenge. Justin Gaethje vented his frustration at the judges’ decision, suggesting that artificial intelligence should be introduced to assess fights due to human incompetence.
Overall, Chimaev’s triumph showcased his grappling expertise, while Usman’s performance on short notice demonstrated his resilience. The reactions from fighters on the main card highlighted different perspectives on the outcome, with McGregor hoping for more excitement, Moicano recognizing Usman’s potential, and Gaethje expressing discontent with the judging.