"Usman almost handicapped, brother. His knees doesn’t work, his back hurts, his arm hurts, operation everywhere."
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Khamzat Chimaev exudes self-assurance as he prepares for his most important battle ever. On Saturday’s UFC 273 main programme, Chimaev (10-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) takes on former title challenger Gilbert Burns (20-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC), and with a win, he might emerge as the No. 1 contender.
Despite the fact that Chimaev has only fought four times in the UFC, he has already made an impression on the MMA industry and believes he can face both UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
When speaking with Daniel Cormier, Chimaev said, “Usman almost handicapped, brother. His knees doesn’t work, his back hurts, his arm hurts, operation everywhere. The guy is too old, and he’s too slow. They wanna find a way to make money and go away from my way. Israel, I think he will fight me. I don’t think the guy is scared. That guy is gonna fight with me, and I will fight the guy, as well. But this is not my level, that guy. He gives his back to this guy (Whittaker) who never did wrestling in UFC, never took somebody down.”
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Usman is slated to face Leon Edwards in July after recuperating from hand surgery. Chimaev claimed he’s been ready to fight for the championship since the beginning and believes in UFC president Dana White that he’ll receive the next title opportunity if he beats Burns.
Chimaev said, “I can take that belt today. Just send me location where is Usman, where is Israel. I’m gonna go and smash them both. I don’t know what the UFC is gonna do. I’m ready. I said it from my first fight: I come here to take my belt. I’m still saying that after my fights.”
Usman is a Sanford MMA training partner of Burns, so Chimaev thinks he will be in Burns’ camp to send a message to the champ.
Chimaev continues saying, “I hope Kamaru will be there in his (Burns) corner, you know? Like talking, help him for training camp and some sh*it. I hope he will be there. So when I knock (Burns) out, I’m gonna go to (Usman), ‘Jump in, you are next.’ So I can beat them both, same night.”
