Kamaru Usman acknowledges Khamzat Chimaev’s rise in the UFC but thinks he still has some work to do.
Usman (20-1 MMA, 15-0 UFC) already has defended his welterweight title five times, defeating Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal twice in that stretch. But his division is always producing new contenders, most notably Chimaev, who’s having quite the run.
Although Chimaev (10-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has competed in the octagon just four times, the unbeaten fighter has looked dominant. He also doesn’t lack confidence, having already called out Usman on numerous occasions. If Chimaev eventually makes it there, Usman welcomes the challenge.
“That’s the thing: There’s a reason there’s a structure to get here,” Usman said on “The Jim Rome Show” on Wednesday. “He’s done great with the opposition that he’s been presented and by the time he gets here, once he gets here, of course, we’ll have that conversation. But I am the champion. I am the pound-for-pound best in the world, I am the king of the castle.
“Everybody wants a piece of me, so that’s good. I like that. There was a time when I was coming up and I just couldn’t get those fights. I couldn’t get the next guy to step in there with me, but now that I’m at the top, I don’t have to do that. These guys have to call me out, and these guys have to come to me. So when they make it up here, I’ll be here waiting.”
Usman is currently out of action after having hand surgery. The champion is targeting a summer return and, according to UFC president Dana White, he’s expected to rematch Leon Edwards next.
“Surgery went well,” Usman said. “The doctors went in, and they were able to clean up every little thing in there that they found. So, I think they’re giving me about a good two to three months before I can actually start punching again. I’m aiming for that summer return.”
UFC champ Kamaru Usman on Khamzat Chimaev calling him out: ‘I’ll be here waiting’
