Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje, others react to Khamzat Chimaev decision over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 (Video)
By Adam Stocker
Khamzat Chimaev defeated Kamaru Usman via majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28), at UFC 294 on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, live from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
"Guys you know what is happening in the world right now. It doesn't matter what happens in the cage. Kids are dying. It doesn't matter if it is Afghanistan, Pakistan, or USA, it doesn't matter when kids are dying. Muslim, Christian, Jewish, it doesn’t matter. Please, guys. Doesn’t matter. Be together. Let us live in this world. Let us be happy," said Chimaev, who also took time to praise his opponent in his post-fighter interview.
Chimaev immediately tested the wrestling of Usman and scored a takedown. Usman ate several strikes before being able to protect himself. Usman got up to his feet and slammed Chimaev, but Chimaev was able to maintain position. The second round switched to a standup battle for most of the round until the end of the round when Chimaev scored another takedown. The action picked up in the third round with both fighters aware that the third round could determine who would win the fight. Usman was landing his best punches of the fight. Chimaev landed another takedown. Usman made it back to his feet and the two fighters spent the final seconds swinging wildly.
15 minutes in the books!
— UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
Our #UFC294 co-main is headed to the judges' scorecards pic.twitter.com/SeD7su1cY2
Several UFC fighters took to Twiter to praise both Chimaev and Usman. Others were very critical of the judges.
Not a tremendous fight. It could have became one over 5 rounds, however. The lack of urgency post sprawling that takedown at the start of round 3 was disappointing and not indicative of what’s on the table with a W. Happy to let opponent back up and re center and tip tap away.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 21, 2023
Gourmet Chen Chen is so greenhorn. I would destroy this cupcake 🧁
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) October 21, 2023
Easy money for sure 🤣🧃
Wow @KChimaev real Goat 🐐 congratulations #UFC294 🦾
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) October 21, 2023
Two 10-8’s get these fucken guys out of here. When does AI start judging fights? These humans are incompetent.
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) October 21, 2023
Maybe it wasn’t two 10-8’s but I can’t figure how we got two 29-27?
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) October 21, 2023
Kamaru usman was a champ for a reason… 5 rounds…. With a full camp he beats Chimaev…. Very impressive perfomance by Usman #ufc294
— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) October 21, 2023
Usman stepping up big time! #UFC294
— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) October 21, 2023
Usman came and fought his a** off on short notice . NO matter the results ! #UFC294
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) October 21, 2023
2-1 Usman but it’s so close
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) October 21, 2023
Good fight but not a 10-8 #UFC294
— Pannie Kianzad UFC (@PannieKianzad) October 21, 2023
@KChimaev just crafted a tremendous performance and had an amazing post fight speech. Turning out to be an incredible champ🙏❤️
— Mark O. Madsen (@MarkTheOlympian) October 21, 2023
@USMAN84kg is the real winner in my mind.
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) October 21, 2023
A performance like that on a short notice. Bravo 👏🏽 and thank you! #UFC294
We are watching two of the best MMA wrestlers in the world! #UFC294
— Clay Guida (@clayguida) October 21, 2023
This needed to be five rounds! What an amazing fight 🤯 #UFC294
— Jasmine Jasudavicius (@JasJasudavicius) October 21, 2023
Chimaev was originally scheduled to fight Paulo Costa at UFC 294. However, Costa was forced to pull out of the fight following elbow surgery. Usman, the former UFC welterweight champion, decided to move up in weight and fight Chimaev on 10 days notice. Dana White declared that the winner of the fight would be the next challenger for UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland.
Khamzat Chimaev takes the majority decision!!
— UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
He leaves #UFC294 with the victory over Kamaru Usman at #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/EjxZT6XiBA
With his victory, Chimaev improved to 13-0. Usman has now lost three straight fights and his career record dropped to 20-4.
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