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Khamzat Chimaev is set to undergo surgery to address a hand injury sustained during the high-stakes middleweight showdown.
Chimaev (13-0 MMA) and Usman (20-4 MMA) engaged in a compelling co-main event at the October pay-per-view in Abu Dhabi. Usman, known as 'The Nigerian Nightmare,' stepped up to face Chimaev with just ten days' notice after Khamzat's original opponent, Paulo Costa, withdrew due to injury. Despite the truncated preparation time and a weight class differential, the former welterweight champion went toe-to-toe with Chimaev, ultimately succumbing to a close majority decision at UFC 294.
Although 'Borz' dominated the initial round, he faced challenges in rounds two and three, struggling to maintain his momentum.
Post-fight, it was disclosed that Chimaev had incurred a hand injury during the opening round. While the severity of the injury was initially undisclosed, 'The Wolf' recently shared on an Instagram Live session that he will undergo surgery to mend a torn ligament in his hand.
"I'm gonna do a surgery, operation, in one-two weeks," Chimaev announced. "After that, do the recovery, come back, smash somebody."
Chimaev had been on a stellar 7-0 run in his UFC career, and a victory over Usman was anticipated to secure him a shot at the middleweight title held by Sean Strickland. However, with the injury and potential concerns over his performance against Usman, the UFC opted to grant the title opportunity to rising middleweight contender Dricus Du Plessis instead.