Kamaru Usman gets UFC title shot again, could face Israel Adesanya next

Nigerian UFC superstars Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya could be set for a massive faceoff in the Octagon sometime in the future.

Usman will move up to middleweight for the first time in his career after it was announced he will fight Khamzat Chimaev in a blockbuster co-main event at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi on October 21.

According to Eurosport, The Nigerian Nightmare was drafted in after Paulo Costa, who was due to fight Chimaev in the co-main event, pulled out of the fight following an elbow injury.

Former welterweight champion Usman, with a record of 20 wins and three defeats, will be looking to bounce back from successive defeats to Leon Edwards.

Chimaev, on the other hand, holds a 12-0 record but has not fought since beating Kevin Holland in September 2022.

Usman vs Adesanya is still a possibility

Meanwhile, Israel Adesanya could be Kamaru Usman’s next opponent if the Nigerian succeeds in defeating Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi on October 21.

According to Sportskeeda, Dana White disclosed that the winner of the Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman fight would likely face either Sean Strickland or Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title next.

Strickland and Adesanya could be in for a rematch after the reigning middleweight champion upset the Stylebender by unanimous decision in a UFC 293 headliner at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.