Kamaru Usman Targets Khamzat Chimaev Fight, Seeks ‘Finality’ with Leon Edwards

Kamaru Usman is ready to get back to work.

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."