With UFC 319 quickly on the best way, the principle occasion begins to provide MMA followers extra goosebumps because it attracts nearer.
Dricus Du Plessis is about to make his third middleweight title defence in Chicago after defeating Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland.
Nevertheless, the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev is trying just like the scariest opponent at 185 kilos, giving everybody a tough time as he approaches his title battle.
Whereas he’s seen as one of many scariest UFC fighters, two warriors did put up a gruelling battle in opposition to ‘Borz’.
Kamaru Usman
At UFC 294, Chimaev was initially speculated to tackle heated rival Paulo Costa.
Nevertheless, the Brazilian needed to bear surgical procedure to deal with an contaminated bursa on his proper elbow.
On 9 days’ brief discover, the previous UFC Welterweight Champion stepped as much as co-headline the Abu Dhabi occasion.
Usman was coming off two consecutive title losses to Leon Edwards as he made the courageous resolution to compete in a Middleweight bout.
The battle began with the Russian-born fighter ultimately grappling Usman to the bottom earlier than making an attempt a Rear-Bare Choke.
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was in a position to escape the submission and head into spherical two as each males examined one another on the ft, regardless of a mixed complete of 20 vital strikes being landed within the spherical.
The ultimate spherical was undoubtedly probably the most thrilling as Chimaev took down Usman as soon as once more.
Nevertheless, the previous champion was in a position to get again to his ft earlier than each males exchanged a number of punches till the buzzer.
‘Borz’ received the battle by majority resolution, making it the closest contest of his MMA profession.
Gilbert Burns
After getting into the Welterweight rankings with a fast submission win in opposition to Li Jingliang at UFC 267, Chimaev would solely need to rise additional.
And his want got here true when he took on #3 contender, Gilbert Burns, at UFC 273.
‘Durinho’ had fought for the undisputed 170-pound belt a yr earlier than, shedding to Usman by third-round TKO at UFC 258.
However, he did redeem himself with a choice win in opposition to Stephen Thompson at UFC 264, hoping to get a second title alternative.
The primary spherical was solely build up a wild brawl, as after some grappling from the #11 contender, Chimaev knocked down Burns, however the Brazilian was not down and out.
The second 5 minutes have been seen as probably the most action-packed in 202,2 with each males exchanging strikes, livening up the group.
Burns landed two wild proper arms, which had Chimaev crashing down after buying and selling quite a few punches.
The 2 warriors continued to land fierce strikes within the last spherical as everybody was on their ft cheering and applauding as soon as the battle was over.
Chimaev received by unanimous resolution, going the gap for the primary time in his profession in a Combat of the Yr contender.
