UFC 294: Dana White confirms shock co-main event as Paulo Costa is ruled out of Khamzat Chimaev bout
- Seb Sternik
- 16 days ago
UFC boss Dana White has endured a hectic 24 hours after being forced to switch up both the main and co-main events of the upcoming UFC 294 event in Abu Dhabi.
Firstly, a sparring injury to Charles Oliveria ruled him out of the scheduled main event against Islam Makhachev.
Alexander Volkanovski was quickly drafted in, with the Aussie now poised to avenge February’s narrow defeat against the defending lightweight champion.
On Wednesday, White was forced to make another change to the fight card after Paulo Costa was pulled from the show.
The 32-year-old Brazilian underwent surgery on his elbow a few weeks ago, however doctors wouldn’t clear him for the October 21 bout against Khamzat Chimaev.
Costa’s loss turned out to be Kamaru Usman’s gain, with the 36-year-old stepping up to middleweight.
This will be Usman’s first appearance at 185-pounds after spending the last seven years establishing himself as one of the UFC’s all-time greats at welterweight.
The Nigerian mixed martial artist won 15 straight fights and held the welterweight championship before suffering back-to-back defeats to Leon Edwards.
Usman against Chimaev was a match-up which was considered in the past, though the two men will now officially meet on October 21 in Abu Dhabi.
