Khamzat Chimaev welcomes all challengers trying to earn an enormous payday.
The late-notice withdrawal of Paulo Costa has resulted in former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman stepping in to battle Chimaev in a middleweight bout this Saturday at UFC 294, giving followers a a extremely anticipated matchup below sudden circumstances. To Chimaev, it is sensible that Usman would take the chance as he believes the remainder of the roster sees him as a cash battle.
Chimaev elaborated on that time at UFC 294 media day on Wednesday when requested if he knew he’d battle Usman sometime.
“If he has the belt, I’d go down, however the man doesn’t have the belt, that’s why I don’t wish to go right down to [170], minimize the burden for nothing,” Chimaev stated. “If there’s gold there, in fact, I’m going to chop the burden, however he couldn’t take the belt [back from Leon Edwards] in order that’s why he requested, ‘Who’s that man?’ I’m Khamzat Chimaev. That’s why you come up and battle with me.”
“The man comes simply to make cash,” Chimaev later added. “It’s some huge cash placed on that. I believe he will get plenty of good cash when any individual fights me. It’s different-level cash. That’s why he’s right here. In fact, he involves win, everybody involves a battle to win, however he already has an excuse and he’s getting paid, so I believe that’s why he comes. Everybody right here, plenty of guys speak about ‘My historical past, this belt, this s***,’ when any individual put the cash out, tens of millions—in the future everybody will overlook about that however the man goes to have his cash for his household. That’s why he’s right here, I believe.”
There was loads of dangerous blood between Chimaev and Costa to boost their battle, to not point out the potential of a title shot at freshly topped middleweight champion Sean Strickland. With a adorned title like Usman getting into the fray, that title shot might nonetheless be in play and Chimaev admitted that he’s much more enthusiastic about dealing with Usman than Costa.
“In fact, as a result of since day one I get to the UFC, everybody spoke about Khamzat-Usman, Khamzat-Usman,” Chimaev stated. “Our wrestling abilities, our hanging, all of these items. Usman is a fighter like me, however he’s the outdated model, I’m new, totally different. Like iPhones come out, like iPhone 5, I’m like, Professional, it’s totally different.”
Chimaev is undefeated since turning professional in 2018, together with 6-0 mark within the UFC. He has completed 5 of his six UFC opponents, successful his most up-to-date battle in lower than half a spherical when he submitted Kevin Holland in a 180-pound catchweight bout in September 2022.
Inactivity has seemingly stored Chimaev from incomes a title shot, a possibility he’s prepared to attend for so long as he must it doesn’t matter what occurs on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
“I don’t take into consideration this battle proper now, I’m centered on Usman,” Chimaev stated when requested about difficult Strickland. “They promised me, like I stated, earlier than Gilbert Burns, ‘In the event you win in opposition to this man you’re going to battle for the title.’ Since then, wait two years, now I battle once more [at UFC 279), but didn’t get the title, so I don’t know. I’m not after just a title, I go after all heads in the UFC. Smash somebody, make money, be happy. If I finish everyone, stop everyone, they have to give me all the belts.”
