Scrambling to save this weekend’s UFC 294 card in the Middle East, prior to booking an official middleweight title-eliminator between Khamzat Chimaev, and Kamaru Usman, the promotion is said to have floated a championship fight between the undefeated, Chimaev, and incumbent divisional gold holder, Sean Strickland, ultimately to no avail.
Returning to Abu Dhabi, UAE this weekend – the promotion was forced to alter both originally scheduled co-headlining and headlining bouts for the flagship event, after Brazilian duo, Paulo Costa, and former lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira were forced from their respective clashes due to nasty injuries sustained ahead of the card.