UFC 294 Preview: Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev Prediction, Odds, and Picks (Oct 21)

• The winner of the Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev will get to fight Sean Strickland for the UFC Middleweight title.
• Chimaev was originally meant to fight Paulo Costa in the UFC 294 co-main event, but after he quit, Usman stepped in.
• “Borz” has never fought such a good opponent as “The Nigerian Nightmare” but he’s still favored to win at -270 UFC 294 odds at BetUS.

Khamzat Chimaev’s detractors have been accusing him of having “Dana White privilege,” especially after it was revealed that the winner of the Usman vs. Chimaev UFC 294 is going to get a shot at the UFC Middleweight title.

Sure, “Borz” has only fought two ranked fighters so far, and his next opponent is moving up a weight division on a 10-day notice, after two back-to-back losses. However, no one can deny that Chimaev is a hell of a fighter. And he’s got a chance to prove it in the UFC 294 co-main event on October 21.

How to Watch

• When: Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 2:00 p.m ET
• Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, United Arab Emirates
• How to Watch: PPV

Odds

Fight Preview

Khamzat Chimaev (12-0) is a controversial character both inside and outside the Octagon. Known for his close ties with the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, “Borz” is a very popular figure in Russia where he lived before moving to Sweden in his late teens.

In the past, he fought under the flag of Sweden, but since recently, he’s moved his allegiance to the United Arab Emirates. That is the country where UFC 294 will take place this coming weekend, so it’s only natural to assume he’s going to have fans on his side against Kamaru Usman (20-3).

Another thing going in his favor is that he’s had a full camp, which Usman did not. Plus, Usman is moving up to the middleweight division for this fight, with each of his previous 23 fights being welterweight bouts.

Further, Usman’s confidence probably isn’t sky-high following two straight defeats to Leon Edwards, one of which saw him get put to sleep in the final minute of the fifth round.

Still, there’s one thing that needs to worry Chimaev’s fans. He’s never fought such a great fighter as Usman before. In fact, the highest-ranked fighter he’s ever fought is Gilbert Burns, who’s the current No. 5 welterweight.

READ ALSO: UFC 294 Preview: Islam Makhachev vs. Aleksander Volkanovski 2 Prediction, Odds, and Picks (Oct 21)

When it comes to the middleweight division, his toughest opponent was Gerald Meerschaert, whom he KO-ed after just 17 seconds. 

In his most recent fight, Chimaev defeated Kevin Holland in a 180lb catchweight fight. The two weren’t originally meant to fight, but Chimaev missed weight for the fight with Nate Diaz, so the UFC found him a new opponent.

Usman vs. Chimaev Prediction

Everything is going in Chimaev’s favor ahead of the UFC 294 co-main event, which is why anything but an easy win for “Borz” would be a huge upset in our eyes.

Free Pick: