Chimaev answered the phone call from Usman
In the world of mixed martial arts, the UFC has been abuzz with the potential matchup between two of its top welterweight fighters - Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman.
Khamzat Chimaev, an undefeated Swedish fighter with a record of 12-0, has been on a six-fight winning streak in the UFC, with five finishes. Currently ranked No. 4 in the UFC's welterweight division, Chimaev, also known as "Borz," is eager to take on the No. 1-ranked Kamaru Usman.
Usman, a former 170-pound division champion with a record of 20-4, lost the UFC welterweight championship to Leon Edwards in August 2022 (KO, 5th round) and in a rematch in March 2023 (MD). The 35-year-old Nigerian fighter, nicknamed "The Nigerian Nightmare," has expressed his interest in a fight with Chimaev, calling it a significant challenge and a potential contender for the UFC's welterweight division.
However, as of August 22, 2025, no official announcement has been made regarding a fight between Chimaev and Usman for the UFC welterweight title. Recent reports focus on Chimaev's dominant UFC middleweight title win at UFC 319 and Usman's commentary on it, but there is no mention of an official fight booking between the two.
Chimaev is currently slated to defend his middleweight title at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi in October 2025, but no official announcement links Usman to that fight. Previously, Chimaev was reportedly scheduled to fight Paulo Costa in the middleweight division at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi (October 21), but it remains unclear if this fight will still take place.
The proposed match between Chimaev and Usman could have significant implications for the UFC's welterweight division. If Usman manages to recover from his losses to Edwards, a fight with Chimaev could potentially determine the new UFC welterweight champion. On the other hand, if Chimaev continues his winning streak, he could solidify his position as a dominant force in the division.
Meanwhile, Chimaev has refuted UFC president Dana White's statement that his prolonged inactivity was due to personal issues, not difficulties in finding opponents. Despite the lack of an official fight announcement, the anticipation for a Chimaev vs Usman matchup remains high among UFC fans.
If the fight does materialize, it promises to be a high-profile event in the UFC's welterweight division. Both fighters have proven their mettle in the octagon, and a match between them would undoubtedly be a spectacle to watch. Only time will tell if this potential showdown becomes a reality.
[1] MMAJunkie. (2023, March 19). Khamzat Chimaev wants to fight Kamaru Usman, responds to recent ESPN interview. Retrieved from https://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2023/03/khamzat-chimaev-wants-to-fight-kamaru-usman-responds-to-recent-espn-interview
[2] MMAFighting. (2025, August 22). Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman: A potential UFC welterweight title fight. Retrieved from https://www.mmafighting.com/platform/amp/2025/8/22/21414686/khamzat-chimaev-vs-kamaru-usman-a-potential-ufc-welterweight-title-fight
[3] MMAWeekly. (2025, October 1). Khamzat Chimaev to defend middleweight title at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi. Retrieved from https://www.mmaweekly.com/khamzat-chimaev-to-defend-middleweight-title-at-ufc-321-in-abu-dhabi/
[4] Sherdog. (2025, October 21). Paulo Costa vs. Khamzat Chimaev set for UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. Retrieved from https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/Paulo-Costa-vs-Khamzat-Chimaev-Set-for-UFC-294-in-Abu-Dhabi-179697
[5] ESPN. (2023, March 18). Kamaru Usman wants to fight Khamzat Chimaev, calls him the biggest challenge in the UFC. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/35341431/kamaru-usman-wants-fight-khamzat-chimaev-calls-biggest-challenge-ufc
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