During Usman’s open workout, Justin Gaethje, who was his partner, can be heard asking Usman “you all right?” as they landed on the mat following a slam. It’s unclear what Usman’s response was or if he was seriously injured. They ended the grappling portion of the workout right after the slam, and Usman continued with some striking.
Gaethje later downplayed what the video appeared to show on X.
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 👊
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
Makhachev defends his title against Volkanovski in a rematch that headlines UFC 294, and Chimaev welcomes Usman to the middleweight division in the co-headliner.
UFC 294 takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view at a special time of 2 p.m. ET following prelims on ESPN+.
You can watch all four of the aforementioned fighters’ open workouts below.
Justin Gaethje checks on Kamaru Usman after slam at open workouts
Khamzat Chimaev ragdolls rraining partner at open workouts
Alexander Volkanovski puts Craig Jones in Boston crab, shows submission at open workouts
Islam Makhachev smashes pads, displays grappling at open workouts
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
