Nigerian fighter, Kamaru Usman lost his clash to Russian Khamzat Chimaev, who used grappling, striking and defense in their middleweight bout in UFC 294 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Saturday night, October 21.
Chimaev won a majority decision over Usman, the former welterweight champion, by scores of 29-27 twice and 28-28.
Chimaev scored a 10-8 in the first round, taking Usman down early in the round and controlling him nearly the rest of the way.
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He got Usman’s back and tried to do some submissions, but ended up preventing Usman from mounting a counter offense.
Usman former welterweight champion won the second round by throwing strikes, but never had much swagger to his moves.
On the contrary, Chimaev was far more controlled and patient.
Chimaev held Usman down for most of the second half of the final round and won the score card of the judges.
Though Usman lost Saturday’s fight, many were impressed that he pushed his better-prepared opponent to the wire.
Lately, it has not been the best of times for Nigerian fighters with Israel Adesanya also served his own bitter pill of defeat earlier in the year.
