With UFC 319 soon on the way, the main event begins to give MMA fans more goosebumps as it draws closer.
Dricus Du Plessis is set to make his third middleweight title defence in Chicago after defeating Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland.
However, the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev is looking like the scariest opponent at 185 pounds, giving everyone a hard time as he approaches his title fight.
While he is seen as one of the scariest UFC fighters, two warriors did put up a gruelling fight against ‘Borz’.
Kamaru Usman
At UFC 294, Chimaev was initially supposed to take on heated rival Paulo Costa.
However, the Brazilian had to undergo surgery to treat an infected bursa on his right elbow.
On nine days’ short notice, the former UFC Welterweight Champion stepped up to co-headline the Abu Dhabi event.
Usman was coming off two consecutive title losses to Leon Edwards as he made the brave decision to compete in a Middleweight bout.
The battle started with the Russian-born fighter eventually grappling Usman to the ground before attempting a Rear-Naked Choke.
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was able to escape the submission and head into round two as both men tested each other on the feet, despite a combined total of 20 significant strikes being landed in the round.
The final round was undoubtedly the most exciting as Chimaev took down Usman once again.
However, the former champion was able to get back to his feet before both men exchanged multiple punches until the buzzer.
‘Borz’ won the fight by majority decision, making it the closest contest of his MMA career.
Gilbert Burns
After entering the Welterweight rankings with a quick submission win against Li Jingliang at UFC 267, Chimaev would only want to rise further.
And his wish came true when he took on #3 contender, Gilbert Burns, at UFC 273.
‘Durinho’ had fought for the undisputed 170-pound belt a year before, losing to Usman by third-round TKO at UFC 258.
But, he did redeem himself with a decision win against Stephen Thompson at UFC 264, hoping to get a second title opportunity.
The first round was only building up a wild brawl, as after some grappling from the #11 contender, Chimaev knocked down Burns, but the Brazilian was not down and out.
The second five minutes were seen as the most action-packed in 202,2 with both men exchanging strikes, livening up the crowd.
Burns landed two wild right hands, which had Chimaev crashing down after trading numerous punches.
The two warriors continued to land fierce strikes in the final round as everyone was on their feet cheering and applauding once the fight was over.
Chimaev won by unanimous decision, going the distance for the first time in his career in a Fight of the Year contender.