Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev fight Saturday in UFC 294 at the Etihad Arena. Usman enters this fight with a 20-3 record and has won 50 percent of his fights by decision. Chimaev enters this fight with an 12-0 record and has won 50 percent of his fights by knockout.

Kamaru Usman Betting Preview

Usman has won 10 of his last 12 fights and is coming off a March win over Leon Edwards. Usman is averaging 4.46 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 52 percent. Usman is averaging 2.96 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 45 percent. Usman is coming off a decision loss at UFC 286 where he landed 113 total strikes and 4 takedowns but ate 123 total strikes. It was the first time Usman has lost a decision in his career. Still, outside of fights against Edwards, Usman hasn’t lost a fight in nearly a decade. Usman is known as a takedown machine with a deep wrestling background, a black belt in BJJ and a quality ground and pound attack. He is a really gifted athlete who usually gets the fight where he wants it and can spend the majority of the fight from the top position wearing down his opponent. However, Usman has shown a much improved striking game over the years, and he’s put himself in the conversation as one of the best fighters in the history of the UFC. This will be Usman’s second career fight in Abu Dhabi.

Khamzat Chimaev Betting Preview

This will be Chimaev’s third fight since 2022 and is coming off a September (2022) win over Kevin Holland. Chimaev is averaging 7.30 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 59 percent. Chimaev is averaging 3.98 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 57 percent. Chimaev is coming off a submission win at UFC 279 where he landed 1 total strike and produced 2 takedowns. It was a one-sided bout and the fifth career submission for Borz. Chimaev is now 6-0 under the UFC banner and one of the scarier fighters on the roster. Chimaev has a background in wrestling and usually keeps his opponent on the ground once he gets it there, always fighting for position and changing guard. Chimaev can be a bit sloppy with the standup, but he has power in his hands and typically swings with a purpose while producing 6 knockouts. Chimaev has had just 1 fight make it out of the second round through 11 pro fights. This will be Chimaev’s fifth career fight in Abu Dhabi.

H2H History 

There’s no fight history between these 2 fighters.

Randy’s Free Pick

Usman and nearly three times your money is a price hard to turn down, and I wouldn’t talk you out of it if looking to cash on a big payout. However, Chimaev is hard and dominating enough when fighters have a whole camp to prepare, Usman took this bout on short notice with the withdrawal of Paulo Costa. It’s a tough situation to be in and Chimaev has shown us nothing to fade him, as most of his fights don’t even make it out of the first round. Give me Chimaev inside distance for a better price.