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A fight between Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev has been ruled out by UFC president Dana White.
Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), is not a big admirer of Kamaru Usman's recent challenge against Khamzat Chimaev.
Kamarudeen Usman, a former Welterweight champion from Nigeria and professional mixed martial artist, is attempting to momentarily distance himself from Leon Edwards, the current titleholder and opponent.
It doesn't seem like Usman will get his wish for a matchup with the No. 3 ranked divisional contender, Chimaev, in the way he had first anticipated.
Usman vows to stay at 170 pounds despite losing his last two contests to champion Edwards, whilst Chimaev seems set to move back up to middleweight.
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At UFC 279 in September 2022, Chimaev defeated Kevin Holland decisively despite being 7.5 pounds underweight for his scheduled Welterweight main event against Nate Diaz.
Since then, Chimaev has stayed on the sidelines despite stating his preference for the championship and wanting to keep getting the major fights in either weight class.
In the end, Middleweight appears to be the most likely choice, according to him, his coach, and White as well.
Usman, who is 35 years old, would be fighting for the first time over 180 pounds and above 170 since his third career bout if he ever decided to try his hand in the higher weight class.
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Dana White on Usman vs Chimaev
The proposal that Kamaru Usman has for a fight with Khamzat Chimaev doesn't sit well with UFC President Dana White.
Even if a bout between Usman and Chimaev sounds enticing on paper to many fight fans, it's the specifics that have White raising the red flag.
Speaking to Jim Rome He said, “No, because what I hate about that fight is Usman’s calling him out but he’s calling him out at a Catchweight.
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20:05 - 04.05.2023
UFC Kamaru Usman's challenge sparks poison threat by Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev has put out a threat of poison after Kamaru Usman challenged him to fight.
“I don’t do Catchweights. I don’t like Catchweights. Catchweights mean nothing. They mean absolutely nothing.
“If he wants to move up to 185 and fight him, we can talk about it,” he concluded. “But trying to fight him at a Catchweight, I’m not interested in.”
Chimaev's professional MMA career has gotten off to a fast start.
He has a 12-0 undefeated record and has only ever completed a full bout. He holds the third-place UFC welterweight ranking.
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