Fight fans on social media are freaking out after it appeared that Kamaru Usman had suffered an injury at the UFC 294 open workout.
Making his return to the Octagon on 10 days’ notice, the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ is set to square off with undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev in the co-main event of the evening. Given the short-notice nature of the contest and his history of knee-related injuries, things were already stacked against the former welterweight world champion with him coming in as a +235 underdog on multiple sportsbooks.
That’s why fans were understandably concerned when Usman appeared to injure himself while completing a takedown against BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje. In the video clip, which you can see below, Gaethje immediately shows concern after being taken down, seemingly asking Usman if he’s alright.
The ex-champ appears to respond by saying that “something popped.”
Looks like Usman may have suffered an injury during open workouts as he says “something popped” to teammate Justin Gaethje!! 😮 #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/9efLrLA0e4
— DenOfThreadz (@denofthreadz) October 18, 2023
Justin Gaethje Denies Rumor That Kamaru Usman Is Injured
Responding to concerned fans online, Justin Gaethje says he thought Kamaru Usman had hit his head on the mat, prompting him to ask if he’s okay.
“He said I’m good or something like that. I thought he hit his head on the mat. I asked him if he hit his head in this clip when we got up and he said no,” Gaethje wrote on X.
Gaethje followed that up with two more posts, adding some additional context to the situation.
“He actually said I’m gunna go with Cosmo to be exact, Gaethje added. “Alexander. The guy he immediately started hitting pads with.”
Fans weren’t entirely buying Gaethje’s explanation after Usman had abruptly ended the training session while appearing to grab his left knee and shake out his leg.
Boasting the best takedown defense in UFC history, Usman will certainly have the skills to stop Khamzat Chimaev from taking him down at will, but if the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ is in fact walking into the contest with an injury, he could be in for a very short night at Etihad Arena.
Watch Kamaru Usman’s open workout session below:
