UFC 294 went from being the most anticipated card to being a disappointing one to reclaiming the most anticipated status. Kamaru Usman and Alexander Volkanovski both stepped up and took the responsibility to provide an exhilarating performance to the Abu Dhabi crowd, ensuring they wouldn’t miss out on the premium UFC action.

Kamaru Usman has been one of the most technically skilled fighters to ever grace the UFC roster, and his face-off against Khamzat Chimaev, known for his ruthlessness, resembles a tranquil river meeting an unstoppable force. Ali Abdelaziz sheds light on how he became the backup fighter.

Ali Abdelaziz illuminates what happened in the background with Kamaru Usman

The entire UFC 294 card fell apart when Charles Oliveira and Paulo Costa pulled out due to injuries and the need for immediate surgery. What was supposed to be the most anticipated card suddenly felt destined for utter disappointment. However, Dana White had some tricks up his sleeve.

The UFC CEO significantly improved the card by arranging fights between Alexander Volkanovski and Kamaru Usman against Islam Makhachev and Khamzat Chimaev. In a recent interaction with ESPN’s Bret Okamoto, the manager of Team Khabib shared backstage details about how the Usman fight was scheduled.

Abdelaziz said, ” But anyway, Hunter hit me up, and I think Dana, him, and Sean – I don’t know – but there were some people in the room. They said, “What do you think about Kamaru vs. Khamzat?” And I said, “What? Wait.” And he said, “Middleweight.” I told him, and I said, “Let me call you back.”

Abdelaziz further added that Usman was more than willing to fight Chimaev and his eyes twinkled like Christmas lights when he heard about the fight. He added ” In the back of my mind, I was like, ‘Why Kamaru, you know?’ Lately, I’ve been talking to Kamaru about fighting, and he’s like, ‘Nothing interests me.’ I called him, and Kamaru’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree, and he started smiling like a psychopath. I was like, ‘This guy knows something I don’t know.’ And he’s like, ‘Hey, they’re going to take care of me.’ I said, ‘Yes.’ And he said, ‘Let’s do it.’

Alexander Volkanovski’s advice for Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman is among the best in the business. Not long ago, ‘the Nigerian nightmare’ held the number 1 pound-for-pound fighter ranking. Usman is by far one of the most dominant welterweight fighters who has ever graced the UFC. Volkanovski believes that Usman will be a difficult opponent for Khamzat Chimaev.

Volkanovski said, “Chimaev is going to be, you think, in better condition. I don’t know how long Usman’s been training for, and Chimaev is a very, very high-paced fighter. So, does that come into play… Can Usman handle… that pace that Chimaev is going put? Everything is going to be a hundred percent; it’s a three-rounder… I think the pace that Chimaev is going to set is going to be hard to deal with for someone on short notice… If his gas tank doesn’t hold up… with the pressure Chimaev is going to do, I think it’s going to be a hard night for Usman.”

Read More: Rare UFC Moment as Team Khabib Joins Conor McGregor’s Hand in Dana White’s War Against USADA

With the UFC 294 card all set again, it will be interesting to witness what will go down on October 21st. What’s your opinion on UFC 294’s new fights? Do tell us in the comments below.

Watch this story: Months After Demanding Oscar for His Divorce, Arnold Schwarzenegger Confronts His Friend for Choosing Maria Shriver Over Him