Khamzat Chimaev has responded to Kamaru Usman’s recent remarks.
Following the end of his welterweight reign and rivalry with current champion Leon Edwards, Kamaru Usman is looking ahead to his pursuit of a return to the title picture.
Usman was thrust off the throne via knockout last August before failing to regain top spot in an immediate rematch opposite Edwards seven months later at UFC 286 in London.
Despite those setbacks, though, “The Nigerian Nightmare” has insisted that his motivation to compete at the highest level remains, and even claims to have “fallen back in love” with mixed martial arts.
With that, he’s quickly gotten back on the training horse and has a new 170lber in his sights: the #3-ranked Khamzat Chimaev.
Speaking to Brett Okamoto, Usman branded a clash with Chimaev as the one that makes the most sense for him next. The former divisional kingpin also suggested that he’ll be ready to compete again from July onwards.
And it’s not taken long for Usman’s call to be heard…
Khamzat Chimaev Answers Kamaru Usman’s Call With ‘Retirement’ Threat
Not long after Usman’s public callout was released, Chimaev was quick to respond,
“Borz” hasn’t competed at welterweight since a victory over Gilbert Burns last April. His latest outing opposite Kevin Holland came at a 180-pound catchweight after the Chechen-born Swede missed weight for his originally planned showdown with Nate Diaz.
While that has left many doubting his ability to make the 170-pound limit, a fire further fueled by Chimaev’s consistent middleweight teases, he took to Twitter on Tuesday and appeared to accept Usman’s callout.
“Borz” even attached an ominous threat, seemingly promising to retire “The Nigerian Nightmare.”
“Someone needs to be poisoned for retirement,” the translation of Chimaev’s post reads.
Khamzat Chimaev‘s apparent acceptance of Usman’s desire to fight comes shortly after talk of a clash with Paulo Costa at 185 pounds picked up.
After a lengthy period that’s seen the pair go back and forth on social media and in interviews, “Borrachinha” recently claimed that the UFC is lining the pair up for a fight at the planned Abu Dhabi-held pay-per-view later this year.