Khamzat Chimaev has put out a threat of poison after Kamaru Usman challenged him to fight.
Kamaru Usman is ready for his next target following two consecutive losses to Leon Edwards, the welterweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
"The Nigerian Nightmare" finds himself in an unfamiliar position in his illustrious 23-fight career.
Usman, who is 35 years old and still eager to battle, now plans to square off against Khamzat Chimaev (12-0), one of the sport's hottest unbeaten competitors.
In an interview with ESPN, Usman confirmed he wants to fight Chimaev next on Payperview.
He said, “A fight with myself and Khamzat? Boom. 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 (PPV).
“He’s a fighter and I’m a fighter at the end of the day,” he continued. “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.”
The third-ranked Welterweight contender, Chimaev, is also in a peculiar situation.
Chimaev missed the 171-pound limit for his final fight at UFC 279 in September 2022 by 7.5 pounds and now seems destined to move back up to the 185-pound division.
10:15 - 28.04.2023
UFC Kamaru Usman tells Mike Tyson why he is still the best
Despite back-to-back losses against Leon Edwards, Kamaru Usman tells Mike Tyson he is still the best.
Chimaev tweets at poison after a challenge by Usman
Recently, Khamzat Chimaev sent a tweet with aggressive language that many in the mixed martial arts (MMA) community found to be directed towards Kamaru Usman.
He mentioned poisoning someone in order to retire them, according to Twitter's translation. Many people think that the former UFC welterweight champion was the target of the post.
Chimaev wrote: "Someone needs to be poisoned for retirement" [Translated via Twitter]
Chimaev's post might have been inspired by a recent interview Usman gave to Brett Okamoto for ESPN MMA.
'The Nigerian Nightmare' indicated an interest in a prospective fight with the Chechen-born Swede throughout the conversation.
A lot of MMA supporters were shocked by Chimaev's comments and expressed their shock on Twitter.
Related content
10:15 - 28.04.2023
UFC Kamaru Usman tells Mike Tyson why he is still the best
Despite back-to-back losses against Leon Edwards, Kamaru Usman tells Mike Tyson he is still the best.
15:00 - 27.04.2023
UFC Israel Adesanya vows to beat South African Dricus du Plessis until he turns black
Nigeria vs South Africa: Israel Adesanya vows to take revenge on Dricus du Plessis for Usman and Ngannou.
18:00 - 26.04.2023
UFC Kamaru Usman and parents team up with Mike Tyson
In Vegas for the fight between Mohammed and Junior Tafa, Kamaru Usman and his parents team up with Mike Tyson.
19:15 - 23.04.2023
UFC How Kamaru Usman helped Brother Mohammed defeat Junior Tafa
Kamaru Usman played a role as his brother Mohammed won against Junior Tafa.
08:10 - 23.04.2023
UFC Mohammed Usman defeats Junior Tafa in UFC debut
Kamaru Usman’s younger brother Mohammed makes Nigeria proud, wins 1st UFC fight against Junior Tafa.