UFC 294 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Makhachev – fight results after shock KO

Khamzat Chimaev def. Kamaru Usman via majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28).

As impressive as I thought Usman’s showing was, that final scorecard is a tad kind on him in my opinion.

Indy Sport had it 29-27.

Round 3

Another takedown attempt by Chimaev, who goes from a double-leg to a single and gets it! He’s in Usman’s half-guard.

This is just what he needed. He has two minutes to control Usman and secure the win, or to look for a finish.

Chimaev has over six minutes of control time. Usman is punching him from underneath, but Chimaev has the Nigerian-American pretty flat.

Oh! Great scramble from Usman, though, to get free and stand! Only 20 seconds left, though...

One-two from Usman. Both men miss with hooks in a wild end to the round! Both land now!

The buzzer sounds, and the fighters embrace.

A valiant showing from Usman, against a fearsome, young prospect on short notice and in a new weight class. It won’t be enough, but fair play.

And fair play to Chimaev, for a mature performance against a former champion who was dominant for so long.

Round 3

“You have to wrestle him, brother,” is the call from Chimaev’s corner. The Russian presses forward and shoots for a double-leg from range; Usman sees it coming from a mile off and steps away.

Usman switches stances back and forth. So does Chimaev. Both men are favouring southpaw, though. Big right hand from Usman!

Chimaev nearly lands one of his own! He tries for a takedown, but Usman denies him again! This fight is picking up again!

Short right hooks from both men in close. Usman was told by coach Trevor Wittman that he needed to win this round, and he’s going for it!

Lots of straight shots from him, then a failed takedown attempt; he should stick to the striking right now.

Round 2

Some boos from the crowd, who seem a bit restless. Usman kicks low again then tests Chimaev’s guard with a switch cross, after quickly going orthodox.

Usman may actually be slightly ahead in this round... The Indy Sport prediction was that Chimaev would start fast and fade, let’s see...

Usman blocks a head kick and feints a couple more takedowns. Hard cross from the ex-welterweight king! Now a good calf kick.

He feints another takedown then goes back to southpaw. He just misses with a cross.

Deeeeep double-leg shot from Chimaev! He lifts Usman and secures the takedown, and Usman is working on a guillotine, but his grip is more on Chimaev’s chest.

In fact, I’d say Usman is only worried about holding Chimaev in place, not going for an actual guillotine.

Indy Sport has it one round apiece, but a 10-8 for Chimaev in Round 1.

Round 2

Chimaev stands southpaw; Usman orthodox. Usman seems happy to just recover some energy here, fighting on such short notice.

He jabs to the body then kicks low and outside. Decent jab upstairs from Chimaev, who is moving his head a lot. Hard jab by Usman, though.

Usman reaches for the front leg of Chimaev, but seemingly just as a feint. Now he kicks heavily to the body of the Russian. And Chimaev returns the favour!

Chimaev is gently pressing forward, while Usman is circling to his own right. Chimaev is just out of range of a front kick to the body by Usman.

Round 1

This round marks just the second time that Usman has ever been taken down in the UFC.

Chimaev continues to switch between strikes and a choke attempt. 37-2 is the strike stat, in favour of Chimaev.

The Russian ends the round on top.

Round 1

Chimaev is a little high on Usman’s back, meaning his balance is a bit off and his control is somewhat compromised. Still, he’s in a dominant position, and he’s going for the rear naked choke again...

More solid defence from Usman, but Chimaev gets off a couple of hard punches! Usman stands and continues to fight the choke...

Chimaev neatly switches hands, and he has the choke on! But Usman slams him down! The choke is off, but Usman still has the back!

Round 1

Both men are elite wrestlers, both have knockout power. Chimaev offers a glove touch, but Usman denies it.

He also denies a takedown early! But Chimaev switches from a double-leg to a single-leg, and he’s able to get a trip! Usman is still half-standing, but Chimaev has his back against the cage.

Now Usman is flattened out, and Chimaev is landing hammer fists to the top of his head! Usman tries to raise himself up, but he’s in such a tough position; he needs to be so wary of a rear naked choke...

“Kham-zat” is the chant in the Etihad Arena. Good defence from Usman, so far...

One-inch reach advantage for Usman; two-inch height advantage for Chimaev.

Nigerian-American Usman, at 36, is seven years older than Chimaev.

The fighter introductions are under way, courtesy of Bruce Buffer.

I have butterflies, I can’t lie. This should be very interesting.

AND HERE WE GO!

A great reaction for Russian-born Swede Chimaev, who is currently fighting out of the UAE.

Now here comes Usman, to more of a hostile reaction – as expected – but with a relaxed walkout.

Usman has been calling for this fight for months, and took it on just 10 days’ notice last week.

This week, he played down rumours that he sustained a knee injury on Wednesday. More below: