Khamzat Chimaev responded to Kamaru Usman calling him out during International Fight Week.
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was in Las Vegas for IFW and made several interview appearances. Usman was asked various questions, but the media members primarily wanted to know who he will fight next.
The former UFC welterweight champion has been negotiating for a fighter with Chimaev, but the contracted weight is a significant issue. ‘Borz’ wants to fight at middleweight, while Usman is focused on the welterweight division.
During an interview backstage at UFC 290, Usman called out Chimaev once again by saying;
“You know, at the end of the day, I have been, and still am, the boogeyman of this division. I asked for the guy. If you want to fight, you want to be a champion, cut the f*cking weight, and come fight.”
Usman continued:
“The only other name that’s out there is probably Belal [Muhammad]. Who else makes sense? It’s Belal. He’s [Chimaev] flirting back and forth with me online at this point, he’s just using me for clout. If you wanna fight cut the weight and let’s fight, if not, stop using me for clout, stop flirting with me online.”
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ last fought in March, losing by a majority decision in a trilogy bout against Leon Edwards. The 36-year-old former UFC champion is determined to earn a 170-pound title shot, leading to his desire to fight again in the near future.
Khamzat Chimaev responds to Kamaru Usman
Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t seem happy with Kamaru Usman’s recent interviews. ‘Borz’ has been mostly blamed for the potential matchup not being signed, but his point of view is slightly different. Chimaev responded to Usman by saying this in a video posted on Twitter:
“Kamaru Usman, why are you talking about me? You said you want to fight. The weight, no problem for you. You are the boogeyman, but I am the wolf. Come up [to middleweight].”
Chimaev is coming off a first-round submission win against Kevin Holland in September 2022. ‘Borz’ was scheduled to headline the event against Nate Diaz before missing the welterweight limit by seven and a half pounds. As a result, the UFC 279 main card was shaken up, and the 29-year-old was encouraged to fight at middleweight moving forward.
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) July 9, 2023
