Kamaru
Usman is ready to get back to work.
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In an interview with
ESPN, the former welterweight champion revealed that he is
ready to fight again — and one opponent in particular has his
interest.
“A fight with myself and Khamzat [Chimaev]? Boom,” Usman said. “I’m
kind of in a place now where I’m having fun with it, and what’s the
biggest, funnest, most intense fight that really makes me feel
something? That’s a fight right there. That could headline a
pay-per-view.”
Chimaev hasn’t competed since last September, when he submitted
Kevin
Holland in the opening round of a 180-pound catchweight clash
at UFC 279. He has been linked to a fight with Paulo
Costa, but his next Octagon appearance hasn’t been booked. It’s
also unclear if Chimaev will fight at welterweight or middleweight
going forward. Usman told ESPN that he would “potentially” be
willing to face Chimaev at 185 pounds.
“He’s a fighter and I’m a fighter at the end of the day,” Usman
said. “I fight these guys heart, not their weight. I’ve been able
to deal with middleweights and light heavyweights in the gym. And
if he wants a shot at the welterweight strap, you kind of have to
give a little bit and show I can get down there and do it. But if
it’s up a weight, potentially.”
While “The Nigerian Nightmare” also mentioned Stephen
Thompson and Conor
McGregor as interesting options, his primary goal is to
recapture the welterweight belt. Despite having lost two of three
fights to reigning champion Leon
Edwards, Usman believes their rivalry still needs closure.
Usman last appeared at UFC 286, where he lost a majority decision
to Edwards in their trilogy bout.
“I still felt there was no finality to that fight,” he said. “I
mean, the rest of the world kind of feels like it, but you know,
props to him that he has the belt but I need finality. I need you
to show me you are better than me from start to finish.”