Kamaru Usman would be more motivated by Khamzat than EdwardsFrontkick.online
Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and No. ranked Khamzat Chimaev. Photo: Jason Silva – USA TODAY Sports / SWEEP Productions – Frontkick
On Saturday, dominant welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will face Leon Edwards for the second time. In a new interview with Brett Okamoto, the champion opened up about fighting the well-rounded Edwards, who has not lost a single fight since their first clash in 2015.
“Now I’m fighting Edwards, which I believe is extremely tough. He’s very, very skilled and very good. But he’s maybe not as known and not as popular, so people kind of write it off,” Usman said. “I don’t, I still have to deal with that pressure. But it’s like, okay, after that, where are the moments? What are the moments that are big enough.”
Usman sees rising superstar Khamzat Chimaev as one of those big moments, and admitted that the Swede is a way more motivating fight than the lesser known Edwards.
“Khamzat, if that fight does come about, I have to have the ability not to get wrapped up in what’s gonna happen,” Usman said. “I would be lying if I said that I won’t be getting up much more for that one.”
Just a few weeks after the welterweight title bout between Usman and Edwards, it’s time for Khamzat Chimaev to step into the octagon for his first five-round main event.
On September 10, “Borz” will face the tough and popular veteran Nate Diaz at UFC 279 in Las Vegas.