Unbeaten welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev has paid tribute to former UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman – after the former undisputed titleholder offered to headline a pay-per-view event against him in his return to… octagon.
Chimaev, who has an impressive 12-0 professional record, has been sidelined since he topped UFC 279 back in September last year, where he submitted Kevin Holland with a first-round chokehold of D’Arce in a co-main event slot.
As for Usman, the former undisputed welterweight champion recently claimed the title at UFC 286 back in March in London, England – suffering a majority decision loss to his three-time opponent, Leon Edwards in a three-way rubber pair match for the title.
Most recently, emphasizing his plans to make a quick return to the octagon on the back of his defeat to the Birmingham native, Usman offered to fight Chechen-born welterweight contender Chimaev in a pay-per-view main event in his comeback fight.
Fighting with myself and Khamzat (Chimaev)? Boom,” Kamaru Usman told ESPN. “I’m kind of in a place right now where I’m enjoying it, and what’s the biggest, most fun, intense fight that really makes me feel something? That’s a battle right now out there. It could be a pay-per-view headline.”
“He (Khamzat Chimaev) is a fighter and I am a fighter at the end of the day,” Kamaru Usman explained. “I fight these guys’ hearts, not their weight, I’ve been able to handle middleweights and heavyweights in the gym. And if he wants a shot at the welterweight belt, you kind of have to give him a shot and show that I can get down there and do it. But if It was about weight, it’s likely.”
Khamzat Chimaev praises Kamaru Osman before a possible fight ahead
Sharing some words of appreciation for Usman – Pound for Pound Former Number One Under UFC, AllStars MMA, Khamzat Chimaev Citizen described O’Shea as “a good fighter”.
During his Octagon tenure, which began in July 2020, Chimaev racked up victories over John Phillips, Rhys Mackey, Gerald Meerschaert, Li Jingliang, Gilbert Burns, and the aforementioned Holland to move up to the number three official welterweight. pile.