Khamzat Chimaev reveals he faced adversity early in the UFC 294 bout.
Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) triumphed over former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) by majority decision in their middleweight clash at Etihad Arena on Saturday.
Chimaev established control over Usman on the ground during the first round, earning a dominant 10-8 round score on all judges’ scorecards. However, Usman fought his way back into the contest, winning rounds 2 and 3 on one of the judges’ scorecards. Chimaev speculates that he may have broken his right hand in the first round, which hindered his grappling ability throughout the fight.
“I dominated the guy in the first round,” said Chimaev in a media scrum with TNT Sports and other reporters. “In the last minute of the first round, I believe I broke my hand. It was difficult to wrestle and maintain control, but I couldn’t use my right hand. We’ll see what’s happening. Maybe it’s broken, maybe not, but the pain was there. I don’t know, I don’t care. I won. My hand was up.”
Chimaev commended Usman for his performance but became emotional during the scrum and was unable to continue. In his post-fight octagon speech, “Borz” took the opportunity to advocate for world peace amidst ongoing political unrest and war.
“Usman is a great fighter,” Chimaev stated. “I’m happy because I won the fight, and I don’t know. There are a lot of things in my heart, so sorry, guys.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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