Former UFC champion Kamaru Usman has said he will like to take on the unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev next as he chases a fourth meeting with current welterweight king Leon Edwards.
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ lost his welterweight title to Edwards via fifth-round KO in August 2022. Usman then tried to reclaim the title against ‘Rocky’ in March 2023 in London. However, Edwards emerged victorious yet again, this time through a majority decision, leaving their rivalry at 2-1 in favour of the Briton.
In his latest interview with ESPN MMA, Usman was asked about what needed to happen for a fourth fight between him and Edwards to materialise. He responded, saying Edwards needed to keep defending his welterweight belt, then he indicated that he’d like to face and beat Chimaev to earn a title shot against Edwards.
“I think a fight with myself and Khamzat (Chimaev), boom. And if he (Leon Edwards) keeps winning, I think that that’s a fourth fight for sure,” he said.
“For me, now, I’m just kind of in a place where it’s like, I’m having fun with it. I’m having fun. So, it’s like, ‘What’s the biggest, funnest, most intense fight that really makes me feel that?’ And, you know, there’s a couple fights. That (Chimaev) is the fight right there.”
Meanwhile, Edwards hasn’t completely shut the door on a possible fourth showdown against longtime rival Usman.
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