Kamaru Usman urged Khamzat Chimaev to move to light heavyweight instead of making another difficult cut to middleweight. Usman identified Paulo Costa as a compelling opponent at 205 pounds.
Usman addressed the matchup on his Pound 4 Pound podcast. Watch the full source episode below, followed by the relevant exchange.
Kamaru Usman wants Khamzat Chimaev to move up to light heavyweight and fight Paulo Costa.
Why Usman Wants Chimaev At 205 Pounds
“Honestly, I would like to see Khamzat Chimaev get to light heavyweight and make a run there — make a run there — because what is the point? What is the point of coming back down to middleweight? It’s a tough cut for you. I understand that, yes, are you skilled enough to still be there and potentially be the champion? Yes. But you’ve already proven that. You’ve been the champion. Why not move up?”
“Listen, Paulo Costa has moved up. That’s a heat of a fight. That’s a heater. Still waiting on that. He moved up to light heavyweight and looked great, so why not? Khamzat Chimaev, move up to light heavyweight, get a fight — boom — now you’re in that short, short line for the title fight. Right now, that title is in limbo because the champion is out for quite some time. So why not?”
Usman did not question Chimaev’s ability at middleweight; his argument focused on the weight cut and the opportunity available in a thinner light-heavyweight title queue. Costa has already been linked with leading contenders at 205, including Magomed Ankalaev and Jiri Prochazka. Usman has also discussed his own route back into title contention.
