In a stunning revelation last week, Kamaru Usman, joined Alexander Volkanovski, as last-minute replacements for the upcoming UFC 294 card scheduled for October 21, 2023.
Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski will rematch each other at UFC 294 after Charles Oliveira pulled out with an injury, while Kamaru Usman (20 – 3), the #1 ranked welterweight, will be moving up to middleweight to take on Khamzat Chimaev, the #4 ranked middleweight. Given that Usman will compete in his first match in the middleweight division, he was compelled to share insight into his plans. regarding fight weight, going forward.
In a recent interview with TMZ, Usman firmly dismissed the notion that he is done with the welterweight division, and instead offered the goal of his is to achieve ‘champ-champ’ status.
“No, no, absolutely not (finished at welterweight),” Usman said. “And what a way to go out. I might just mic drop. Grab the middleweight belt, go down and grab the welterweight belt, and then mic drop. What a way to go out. I want both. I’ve always wanted ‘champ-champ’, but what a way (to do it); go get the top one and then come back down again. No one’s ever done that.”
Usman enters the fight following back-to-back losses to current welterweight champion Leon Edwards, while Khamzat Chimaev enters the bout undefeated for his 2023 debut.
Watch the Full Interview: